作为具有自我更新和分化潜力的同质细胞群，干细胞库高度分隔并包含不同的子集，这些子集在稳态过程中表现出稳定但有限的异质性。然而，它们在自然或人为压力下表现出惊人的可塑性，例如受伤、移植、癌症和衰老，导致其表型、体质、代谢和功能发生变化。细胞外在生态位和信号通路的复杂多样的网络，与细胞内在遗传和表观遗传调节因子一起，严格调节稳态期间的异质性和扰动下的可塑性。操纵这些因素可以更好地控制干细胞行为，并为当前的再生医学状态带来潜在的革命。然而，基因突变或过度可塑性获得对正常调节的破坏可能会导致肿瘤的形成。通过利用创新技术来增强我们对干细胞异质性的理解，并采用新颖的方法来最大限度地利用干细胞可塑性，干细胞疗法有望彻底改变医学的未来。版权所有 © 2023。由爱思唯尔公司出版。

As a population of homogeneous cells with both self-renewal and differentiation potential, stem cell pools are highly compartmentalized and contain distinct subsets that exhibit stable but limited heterogeneity during homeostasis. However, their striking plasticity is showcased under natural or artificial stress, such as injury, transplantation, cancer, and aging, leading to changes in their phenotype, constitution, metabolism, and function. The complex and diverse network of cell-extrinsic niches and signaling pathways, together with cell-intrinsic genetic and epigenetic regulators, tightly regulate both the heterogeneity during homeostasis and the plasticity under perturbation. Manipulating these factors offers better control of stem cell behavior and a potential revolution in the current state of regenerative medicine. However, disruptions of normal regulation by genetic mutation or excessive plasticity acquisition may contribute to the formation of tumors. By harnessing innovative techniques that enhance our understanding of stem cell heterogeneity and employing novel approaches to maximize the utilization of stem cell plasticity, stem cell therapy holds immense promise for revolutionizing the future of medicine.Copyright © 2023. Published by Elsevier Inc.