The role of some interactions of cells of donor and host under the influence of the microenvironment in regeneration process

SUMMARY. The review is devoted to the analysis of experimental data about possible mechanisms of transdifferentiation or plasticity of tissue specific stem cells. Considerable attention is focused on the mechanisms and genetic consequences of fusion of different types of donor cells with the cells of recipient tissues which investigated on the models of cellular therapy of liver and heart diseases. The role of various kinds of cell contacts and their role in stem cells integration, reparation and regeneration of injured tissue and horizontal genes transfer are considered.

Keywords: hematopoietic stem cells, endothelial progenitor cells, mesenchymal stem cells, transdifferentiation, cell fusion