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

Importance of the field: Cellular replacement therapies in vascular and urogenital organ disorders require an abundant source of smooth muscle cells. A promising approach would be the directed myogenic differentiation (characterized by the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)) into a sufficient amount of smooth muscle cells through easily obtainable adult stem cells, for example from the sweat gland. 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.