Mesenchymal stem cells are a group of multipotent cells that can be induced to differentiate into other cell types. The cells fate is decided by various signaling pathways, growth factors, and transcription factors in differentiation. The proper coordination of these factors will result in cell specification. MSCs are capable of being differentiated into osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic lineages. Different conditions induces the MSCs into particular phenotypes. The MSC trans-differentiation ensues as a response to environmental factors or due to circumstances that prove to favor trans-differentiation. Depending on the stage at which they are expressed, and the genetic alterations they undergo prior to their expression, transcription factors can accelerate the process of trans-differentiation. Further research has been conducted on the challenging aspect of MSCs being developed into non-mesenchymal lineage. The cells that are differentiated in this way maintain their stability even after being induced in animals. The recent advancements in the trans-differentiation capacities of MSCs on induction with chemicals, growth inducers, improved differentiation mediums, growth factors from plant extracts, and electrical stimulation are discussed in this paper. Signaling pathways have a great effect on MSCs trans-differentiation and they need to be better understood for their applications in therapeutic techniques. So, this paper tends to review the major signaling pathways that play a vital role in the trans-differentiation of MSC.

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Keywords: Mesenchymal Stem Cells, multipotent cells, Trans-differentiation, signalling pathways, MSCs, Genetic alterations, Transcription factors, osteogenic lineages, chondrogenic lineages, adipogenic lineages.

This article is published in the book titled Stem Cells and Lineage Commitment by Human Press. Springer. Please click on the title to visit the book site.