**Section 3 Stromal Cell Therapies 141**

Chapter 7 **Mesenchymal Stromal Cells as a Therapeutic Intervention 143** Ivonne Hernandez Schulman and Joshua M. Hare

Preface

mal cell ontogeny *in vivo* remains challenging.

greater scientific audience.

cells as a double-edged sword.

Stromal cells are connective tissue cells of any organ, and they support the function of the parenchymal cells of that particular organ. Stromal/stromal stem cells are fundamentally a heterogeneous population of cells with contradictory differentiation potential depending upon their environmental niche. Stromal cell biology is not only intriguing, but equally stro‐

In recent years, there has been substantial advances in our understanding of stromal cell biology, especially stromal cell isolation, characterization, differentiation, and interactions in physiological (epithelial–stromal interactions) as well as pathophysiological (stromal–cancer interactions) contexts. In addition, stromal cells are also utilized more and more as a thera‐ peutic tool not only in the field of gene therapy but also in the translational field of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Therefore, the goal of this book is to consolidate the recent advances in the area of stromal/stromal stem cell biology, covering a broad range of interrelated topics in a timely fashion and to disseminate that knowledge in a lucid way to a

This book will prove highly useful for students, researchers, and clinicians in stem cell biolo‐ gy, developmental biology, cancer biology, pathology, oncology, as well as tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. This quick reference will benefit anyone desiring a thorough over‐ view of stromal cell structure, function, and its therapeutic implications in human diseases. The book consists of nine chapters, contributed by leading experts in basic science and clini‐ cal care, and is organized into three parts. The first part introduces the structure and func‐ tion of stromal/stromal stem cells. The second part of the book deals with stromal cell interactions, such as stromal–epithelial interactions and stromal–tumor interactions. Eventu‐ ally, in contrast, the third part explores the therapeutic potential of stromal/stromal stem

I would like to thank the staff of IntechOpen who have produced this book so efficiently, and in particular I am indebted to Danijela Vladika and Nina Kalinic, the publishing process managers, Romina Skomersic, the author service manager, and Anja Filipovic, the commis‐ sioning editor, for their valuable source of advice throughout the preparation of this book.

> **Valarmathi M. Thiruvanamalai, MD, PhD** Department of Biomedical Engineering School of Medicine and School of Engineering UAB | The University of Alabama at Birmingham

> > Birmingham, Alabama, USA

Finally, I dedicate this book to my father and the memory of my mother.

