Research Perspective Volume 2, Issue 11 pp 875—883
A novel insight into aging: are there pluripotent very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) in adult tissues overtime depleted in an Igf-1-dependent manner?
Figure 1. Potential VSEL contribution to tissue rejuvenation. VSELs deposited in adult tissues during embryogenesis/gastrulation may become eliminated after giving rise to TCSCs. Conversely, they may survive among TCSCs and serve as a potential backup/reserve source of TCSCs. Under homoestatic conditions, primitive VSELs should be protected from unleashing their own proliferation.