Which statement best describes why some tissues heal primarily by fibrosis rather than regeneration despite the presence of stem or progenitor cells?
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Correct answer: Niche signals may favor fibroblast scarring over regeneration
Even with stem/progenitor cells, if the microenvironment or signals after injury do not favor regeneration, the repair process may default to fibroblast proliferation and deposition of extracellular matrix — resulting in fibrosis rather than true tissue regeneration.
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More Stem Cells and Regeneration questions
- Which of the following is a defining characteristic of a true stem cell?
- Which term best describes stem cells that can give rise to all cell types of the adult body (but not extra-embryonic tissues)?
- Which type of stem cell is most important for ongoing tissue maintenance and repair in adult organisms?
- Which of the following best describes a multipotent stem cell?
- Which of the following stem cell sources requires ethical considerations because they are derived from early embryos?
- What is the main advantage of using Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in regenerative medicine compared to embryonic stem cells?