What is the Difference Between Progenitor and Precursor Cells

The main difference between progenitor and precursor cells is that progenitor cells are mainly multipotent cells that can differentiate into many types of cells, whereas precursor cells are unipotent cells that can only differentiate into a particular type of cells. Furthermore, progenitor cells are less differentiated cells, while precursor cells are more differentiated than progenitor cells. 

Progenitor and precursor cells are two types of cells with the capacity to differentiate into functionally specialized cells in different types of tissues in the body. 

Key Areas Covered 

1. What are Progenitor Cells
     – Definition, Features, Types
2. What are Precursor Cells
     – Definition, Features, Types
3. What are the Similarities Between Progenitor and Precursor Cells
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Progenitor and Precursor Cells
     – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms 

Multipotent, Precursor Cells, Progenitor Cells, Stem Cells, Unipotent

What are Progenitor Cells 

Progenitor cells are a type of cells with the ability to differentiate into several types of specialized cells in the body. Therefore, they are multipotent cells. However, they are more differentiated than stem cells. Also, they do not undergo self-renewal as do by the stem cells. Thereby, progenitor cells can divide only in a limited number of times. Thus, many properties of the stem cells have been lost in the progenitor cells through differentiation. Especially, progenitor cells can migrate through the body towards the tissue when needed.

Figure 1: Neural Progenitor Cells (green)

Furthermore, some of the examples of these progenitor cells are the neural progenitors, radial glial cells in the brain, and satellite cells in the brain. Also, bone marrow stromal cells in the epidermis, osteoblasts and chondroblasts in the periosteum of the bone, and pancreatic progenitor cells are some other progenitor cells. Moreover, endothelial progenitor cells, blast cells, etc. are progenitor cells, as well. 

What are Precursor Cells 

Precursor cells are a type of cells that have lost most of the properties of the stem cells. That means; precursor cells are unipotent cells that can only differentiate into a particular type of specialized cells. Same as progenitor cells, precursor cells do not undergo cell division for self-renewal. Also, blast cells, as well as the unipotent stem cells, are the other names for precursor cells. 

Figure 2: Blood Precursor Cells

Moreover, some of the examples of precursor cells are the myeloid precursor cells, oligodendrocyte precursor cells, and myeloblasts. Also, thymocytes, megakaryoblasts, lymphoblasts, bone marrow precursor cells, endothelial precursor cells, etc. are precursor cells found in the body.  

Similarities Between Progenitor and Precursor Cells 

• Progenitor and precursor cells are two types of cells found in the body of multicellular organisms. 
• They do not undergo proliferation to self-renew their cell populations as stem cells.  
• But, they can differentiate into different types of specialized cells in the body. 
• They play a key role in growth, repair, and regeneration. 
• Also, both types of cells have many potential uses in medicine in building heart valves, blood vessels, and other tissues. 

Difference Between Progenitor and Precursor Cells 

Definition 

Progenitor cells refer to the stem cells with a tendency to differentiate into a specific type of cells but are already more specific than stem cells, while precursor cells refer to a type of partially differentiated, and usually, a unipotent cell that has lost most or all of the stem cell multipotency. 

Potency 

Progenitor cells are mainly multipotent and can differentiate into several types of cells, while precursor cells are unipotent and can differentiate into a particular type of cells. Thus, this is the main difference between progenitor and precursor cells.

Degree of Differentiation 

Also, another difference between progenitor and precursor cells is that the progenitor cells are somewhat differentiated cells, while precursor cells are more differentiated cells. 

Examples 

Some of the examples of progenitor cells are neural progenitor cells, satellite cells in muscles, radial glial cells in the brain, etc., while some of the examples of precursor cells are oligodendrocyte precursor cells, lymphoblasts, melanoblasts, etc. 

Conclusion 

Progenitor cells are a type of stem cells that can differentiate into several types of cells. Therefore, they are multipotent cells. However, they do not undergo self-renewal. Also, they have less capacity for differentiation than stem cells. On the other hand, precursor cells are another type of cells in the body. But, they can only differentiate into a particular type of specialized cells. Thus, they are unipotent and are more differentiated than the progenitor cells. Nevertheless, both types of cells are important in growth, repair, and regeneration. Still, the main difference between progenitor and precursor cells is their potency. 

References:

1. “4. The Adult Stem Cell.” National Institutes of Health, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Differentiation Neural Progenitors” By National Institutes of Health (NIH) – National Institutes of Health (NIH)(Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia   
2. “Leukemia Diagram Detailing Stem Cell to Blood Cell Maturation Process” By Ibdipcan2015 – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia