ObjectiveTo review the current progresses in purification strategies, biological characters, and the uses in tissue engineering of urine-derived stem cells (USCs).
MethodsRecent relevant publications on the USCs were extensively reviewed, analyzed, and summarized.
ResultsUSCs, usually isolated by adherence screening method, are a population of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-like somatic stem cells possessing robust self-renew and multi-potential differentiation ability. Combined with using appropriate biomaterials and biological molecules, USCs can be used as a good cell source for tissue engineering.
ConclusionAn alluring prospect exists on the USCs-related research. Further studies are required to investigate the origin, individual differences, and the therapeutic values of USCs.
