Heirani-Tabasi et al., 2015. Journal of Genes & Cells, 1(2): p, 34-39 doi: 10.15562/gnc.15 * Correspondence: Email: Raisy_m@yahoo.com # Authors contribute equally. ____________________ www.genesandcells.com Mesenchymal Stem Cells; Defining the Future of Regenerative Medicine Asieh Heirani-Tabasi 1# , Marzieh Hassanzadeh 1,2# , Shabnam Hemmati-Sadeghi 1,2 , Mina Shahriyari 1 , Mahmood Raeesolmohaddesin 1 * 1. Department of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, ACECR-Mashhad Branch, Mashhad, Iran 2. Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran Mesenchymal stem cells also known as multipotent stem cells (MSCs) which have been identified by Friedenstein in 1976, are the main cells of connective tissue which are present in almost all kind of tissues and represent the origin of stromal cells [3]. They can differentiate into different cell types such as adipocytes, osteocytes, chondrocytes, and muscle cells. [1, 2]. These cells have been characterized as positive for CD105 (SH2), CD73 (SH3), CD44 and CD90 cell surface markers and negative for CD45, CD34, CD14 or CD11b, CD79a or CD19 and HLA-DR surface molecules. Furthermore, plastic-adherence characteristics and their differentiation to different lineages confirm their multipotency [4]. MSCs isolated from different tissues is different ranging their numbers from 0.001 to 0.01% in a tissue [5]. It has been proven that from 1g of adipose tissue 5 × 10 3 MSCs can be isolated, which is 500 times more cells than 1g bone marrow [6, 7] representing MINI-REVIEW ABSTRACT Cell therapy has been considered as the third pillar of medicine. There are several kinds of cells attracted researchers attention whereas the growing interest in mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for regenerative purposes has enabled them to explore the versatile characteristics for regenerative purposes. So far, near about 5000 clinical trials using MSCs, authenticating the clinical applicability of these cells. Their multipotent differentiation and unique immunosuppressive properties have made them ideal candidate in cell therapeutic approaches. Recent advances have been observed in the homing of these cells to enhance their transplantation efficacy. These cells have been proposed as the ideal candidates for cancer therapy and have been engineered for targeted cancer therapy. Their successful applications and responses have termed them the ideal cells for the future of regenerative medicine. Keywords: Mesenchymal stem cells, regenerative medicine, cell therapy, clinical practice, stromal cells