Dataset Information

The CD44+ ALDH+ population of human keratinocytes is enriched for epidermal stem cells with long-term repopulating ability.

ABSTRACT: Like for other somatic tissues, isolation of a pure population of stem cells has been a primary goal in epidermal biology. We isolated discrete populations of freshly obtained human neonatal keratinocytes (HNKs) using previously untested candidate stem cell markers aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and CD44 as well as the previously studied combination of integrin ?6 and CD71. An in vivo transplantation assay combined with limiting dilution analysis was used to quantify enrichment for long-term repopulating cells in the isolated populations. The ALDH(+) CD44(+) population was enriched 12.6-fold for long-term repopulating epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) and the integrin ?6(hi) CD71(lo) population was enriched 5.6-fold, over unfractionated cells. In addition to long-term repopulation, CD44(+) ALDH(+) keratinocytes exhibited other stem cell properties. CD44(+) ALDH(+) keratinocytes had self-renewal ability, demonstrated by increased numbers of cells expressing nuclear Bmi-1, serial transplantation of CD44(+) ALDH(+) cells, and holoclone formation in vitro. CD44(+) ALDH(+) cells were multipotent, producing greater numbers of hair follicle-like structures than CD44(-) ALDH(-) cells. Furthermore, 58% ± 7% of CD44(+) ALDH(+) cells exhibited label-retention. In vitro, CD44(+) ALDH(+) cells showed enhanced colony formation, in both keratinocyte and embryonic stem cell growth media. In summary, the CD44(+) ALDH(+) population exhibits stem cell properties including long-term epidermal regeneration, multipotency, label retention, and holoclone formation. This study shows that it is possible to quantify the relative number of EpiSCs in human keratinocyte populations using long-term repopulation as a functional test of stem cell nature. Future studies will combine isolation strategies as dictated by the results of quantitative transplantation assays, in order to achieve a nearly pure population of EpiSCs.

SUBMITTER: Szabo AZ

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4104573 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

The CD44+ ALDH+ population of human keratinocytes is enriched for epidermal stem cells with long-term repopulating ability.

Szabo Akos Z AZ Fong Stephen S Yue Lili L Zhang Kai K Strachan Lauren R LR Scalapino Kenneth K Mancianti Maria Laura ML Ghadially Ruby R

Stem cells (Dayton, Ohio) 20130401 4

Like for other somatic tissues, isolation of a pure population of stem cells has been a primary goal in epidermal biology. We isolated discrete populations of freshly obtained human neonatal keratinocytes (HNKs) using previously untested candidate stem cell markers aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) and CD44 as well as the previously studied combination of integrin α6 and CD71. An in vivo transplantation assay combined with limiting dilution analysis was used to quantify enrichment for long-term repo ...[more]

PMID: 23335266

Similar Datasets

Project description:BackgroundSkin injuries in horses frequently lead to chronic wounds that lack a keratinocyte cover essential for healing. The limited proliferation of equine keratinocytes using current protocols has limited their use for regenerative medicine. Previously, equine induced pluripotent stem cells (eiPSCs) have been produced, and eiPSCs could be differentiated into equine keratinocytes suitable for stem cell-based skin constructs. However, the procedure is technically challenging and time-consuming. The present study was designed to evaluate whether conditional reprogramming (CR) could expand primary equine keratinocytes rapidly in an undifferentiated state but retain their ability to differentiate normally and form stratified epithelium.MethodsConditional reprogramming was used to isolate and propagate two equine keratinocyte cultures. PCR and FISH were employed to evaluate the equine origin of the cells and karyotyping to perform a chromosomal count. FACS analysis and immunofluorescence were used to determine the purity of equine keratinocytes and their proliferative state. Three-dimensional air-liquid interphase method was used to test the ability of cells to differentiate and form stratified squamous epithelium.ResultsConditional reprogramming was an efficient method to isolate and propagate two equine keratinocyte cultures. Cells were propagated at the rate of 2.39 days/doubling for more than 40 population doublings. A feeder-free culture method was also developed for long-term expansion. Rock-inhibitor is critical for both feeder and feeder-free conditions and for maintaining the proliferating cells in a stem-like state. PCR and FISH validated equine-specific markers in the cultures. Karyotyping showed normal equine 64, XY chromosomes. FACS using pan-cytokeratin antibodies showed a pure population of keratinocytes. When ROCK inhibitor was withdrawn and the cells were transferred to a three-dimensional air-liquid culture, they formed a well-differentiated stratified squamous epithelium, which was positive for terminal differentiation markers.ConclusionsOur results prove that conditional reprogramming is the first method that allows for the rapid and continued in vitro propagation of primary equine keratinocytes. These unlimited supplies of autologous cells could be used to generate transplants without the risk of immune rejection. This offers the opportunity for treating recalcitrant horse wounds using autologous transplantation.

Dataset Information

The CD44+ ALDH+ population of human keratinocytes is enriched for epidermal stem cells with long-term repopulating ability.

Publications

The CD44+ ALDH+ population of human keratinocytes is enriched for epidermal stem cells with long-term repopulating ability.

Similar Datasets

OmicsDI is part of the ELIXIR infrastructure