Hedgehog and Resident Vascular Stem Cell Fate

Figure 4

Stem cell niche. The stem cell niche is composed of multiple niche support cells, such as stromal and mesenchymal cells, that provide stimulus to a small subpopulation of stem cells. The stem cells are responsive to cellular and acellular regulatory components within the niche. These regulatory components control the fate of the stem cells, be it proliferation, self-renewal, differentiation, fate, programmed cell death, retention, or migration.