Project description:Adult tissue stem cells (SCs) reside in niches, which through intercellular contacts and signaling, influence SC behavior. Once activated, SCs typically give rise to short-lived transit-amplifying cells (TACs), which then progress to differentiate into their lineages. Here, using single cell RNA-sequencing, we unearth unexpected heterogeneity among SCs and TACs of hair follicles. We trace the roots of this heterogeneity to micro-niches along epithelial-mesenchymal interfaces, where progenitors display molecular signatures reflective of spatially distinct local signals and intercellular interactions. Using lineage-tracing, temporal single cell analyses and chromatin landscaping, we show that SC plasticity becomes restricted in a sequentially and spatially choreographed program, culminating in seven spatially arranged uni-lineage progenitors within TACs of mature follicles. By compartmentalizing SCs into micro-niches, tissues gain precise control over morphogenesis and regeneration: Some progenitors specify lineages immediately; others retain potency, preserving self-renewing features established early while progressively restricting lineages as they experience dynamic changes in microenvironment.
Project description:Adult tissue stem cells (SCs) reside in niches, which through intercellular contacts and signaling, influence SC behavior. Once activated, SCs typically give rise to short-lived transit-amplifying cells (TACs), which then progress to differentiate into their lineages. Here, using single cell RNA-sequencing, we unearth unexpected heterogeneity among SCs and TACs of hair follicles. We trace the roots of this heterogeneity to micro-niches along epithelial-mesenchymal interfaces, where progenitors display molecular signatures reflective of spatially distinct local signals and intercellular interactions. Using lineage-tracing, temporal single cell analyses and chromatin landscaping, we show that SC plasticity becomes restricted in a sequentially and spatially choreographed program, culminating in seven spatially arranged uni-lineage progenitors within TACs of mature follicles. By compartmentalizing SCs into micro-niches, tissues gain precise control over morphogenesis and regeneration: Some progenitors specify lineages immediately; others retain potency, preserving self-renewing features established early while progressively restricting lineages as they experience dynamic changes in microenvironment.
Project description:Adult tissue stem cells (SCs) reside in niches, which through intercellular contacts and signaling, influence SC behavior. Once activated, SCs typically give rise to short-lived transit-amplifying cells (TACs), which then progress to differentiate into their lineages. Here, using single cell RNA-sequencing, we unearth unexpected heterogeneity among SCs and TACs of hair follicles. We trace the roots of this heterogeneity to micro-niches along epithelial-mesenchymal interfaces, where progenitors display molecular signatures reflective of spatially distinct local signals and intercellular interactions. Using lineage-tracing, temporal single cell analyses and chromatin landscaping, we show that SC plasticity becomes restricted in a sequentially and spatially choreographed program, culminating in seven spatially arranged uni-lineage progenitors within TACs of mature follicles. By compartmentalizing SCs into micro-niches, tissues gain precise control over morphogenesis and regeneration: Some progenitors specify lineages immediately; others retain potency, preserving self-renewing features established early while progressively restricting lineages as they experience dynamic changes in microenvironment.
Project description:In this study we characterize mesenchymal cell populations expressing Lgr5 and Lgr6 in the adult lung. We show that Lgr5 and Lgr6 expression can be used to identify distinct mesenchymal lineages that drive lineage-specific differentiation of epithelial progenitor cells in adult lung.
Project description:We have developed a method to generate human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived mesenchymal cells (iMES) that were able to induce AT1 and AT2 epithelial cells within their organoids (iMES-AO). Single-cell transcriptome analysis comparing iMES-AO with our previously reported alveolar organoids using human fetal lung fibroblasts delineated not only differences in composition of epithelial lineages but also distinctive mesenchymal lineages.
Project description:The biological process termed Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) plays a central role in cancer cell invasion, metastasis, self-renewal and resistance to therapy. Here, we characterize using quantitative LC-MS/MS the global changes in proteins levels occurring during EMT induced by epidermal growth factor in breast cancer MDA-MB-468 cells.
Project description:Rationale: Alveolar epithelial type 2 (AT2) cells are stem/progenitor cells in the adult lung and their maintenance and regulation is achieved through their interaction with mesenchymal cells which constitute their niches. However, the precise identity of the niche cells is still elusive. Objectives: To characterize the niche cells capable of supporting the self-renewal of AT2 stem cells in the murine model. Methods: The alveolar organoid model was used to test the efficiency of different subpopulations of mesenchymal cells isolated by FACS from well-established (PdgfraGFP, Axin2LacZ, Fgf10LacZ) reporter mice to support the self-renewal of mature AT2 cells. The reporter-positive cells where pre-sorted based on Cd45neg Cd31neg Epcamneg Sca1pos. Additional selection was achieved using LipidTOX staining for cells containing high level of neutral lipids. Organoid size and colony formation efficiency after 2 weeks in culture were quantified. RNAscope combined with immunofluorescence on adult lungs. qPCR, gene array were used to characterize the niche cells. Measurements and main results: A subset of Sca1+; Fgf10-expressing cells positive for LipidTox staining in the distal mesenchyme is efficient in the self-renewal and differentiation of AT2 stem cells. Co-staining of adult lung by using ISH and IF staining for Fgf10 and Sftpc respectively, indicate that 28% of Fgf10+ cells are located to close to AT2 cells. These cells do not overlap with Fgf7-expressing cells. Gene array comparing MANC (Cd45Neg Cd31Neg EpcamNeg Sca1Pos Axin2LacZ/FDGPos) with Fgf10Pos Lipofibroblasts (Cd45Neg Cd31Neg EpcamNeg Sca1Pos Fgf10LacZ/FDGPos) support that these two cell subsets are different and express differential markers that can be further used for the respective characterization of these cells. Conclusions: We have demonstrated for the first time that Fgf10Pos LIF cells play important role to support AT2 stem cells in terms of self-renewal and differentiation toward the AT1 cell type. These cells appear different from the previously characterized MANC and display a similar activity in eliciting AT2 self-renewal.
Project description:Increasing evidence supports the existence of a subpopulation of cancer cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into diverse cell lineages. These cancer stem-like or cancer initiating cells (CICs) also demonstrate resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy and may function as a primary source of cancer recurrence. We report here on the isolation and in vitro propagation of multicellular ovarian cancer spheroids from a well-established ovarian cancer cell line (OVCAR-3). Cells forming these spheroids display self-renewal potential, the ability to produce differentiated progeny and increased expression of genes previously associated with CICs. The spheroid-derived cells (SDCs) also demonstrate higher invasiveness, migration potential and enhanced resistance to standard anticancer agents relative to progenitor OVCAR-3 cells. SDCs display up-regulation of genes associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT), anticancer drug resistance and/or decreased susceptibility to apoptosis, as well as, down-regulation of genes typically associated with the epithelial cell phenotype and pro-apoptotic genes. Dataset includes 3 replicate cultures of parental OVCAR-3 cells and 3 replicate cultures of stem cell-like spheroid-derived cells