The role of α-smooth muscle actin in myogenic differentiation of human glandular stem cells and their potential for smooth muscle cell replacement therapies

Areas covered in this review: We present novel multipotent adult stem cell populations derived from glandular tissues like pancreas, salivary gland and sweat gland and assess their myogenic potential. Their possible application in cell replacement therapies is discussed, with regard to numerous scaffold-based approaches in the course of the last decade. What the reader will gain: Multipotent glandular stem cells can be manipulated by different means to express a predominant smooth muscle-like phenotype. Possible promising applications of myogenic differentiated stem cells were evaluated, since several studies revealed the beneficial effect of somatic stem cells in replacement therapies for blood vessels, bladder reconstructions, etc. Take home message: Glandular stem cells, especially sweat-gland-derived cells, provide an easily accessible and efficient source for autologous smooth muscle tissue, which might be used to replace vascular tissue in case of organ failure or disorder.