[Transdifferentiation of stem cell antigen-1 positive cells from murine fetal liver into renal cells: an experimental study]

To explore the plasticity and potential of transdifferentiation of stem cell antigen-1 positive cells (Scan-1(+) cells) from murine fetal liver into renal cells.

The Scan-1(+) cells from the livers of male murine fetuses aged 14.5 days were separated with Magnetic cell sorting (MACS) technology. 2 x 10(3) Scan-1(+) cells from the male murine fetuses of the same litter were transplanted through the caudal vein into 6 female mice of the same line aged 8 - 12 weeks irradiated with the lethal dosage of gamma ray from (60)Co source (10 Gy). 6 mice were transplanted with adult wale mariue bone marrow sca-1(+) cells and used as experimental controls. Three mice just undergoing irradiation without transplantation was used as blank controls. Sixty days after the transplantation the mice were killed and their kidneys were taken out. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) test with Y chromosome probe was used to detect cells originated from the source of male donors. Histochemistry with biotin-labeled ricinus communis agglutinin (RCA) and vimentin and immunohistochemistry with antibody of white blood cell common antigen CD45 and antibody of macrophage F(4/80) were used.

3 control mice and 2 of the 6 mice transplanted with fetal liver cells died 12, 14, and 15 days and 20 and 26 days respectively after irradiation. In the mice transplanted with Sca-1(+) cells only one died 14 days after irradiation and the remaining mice survived to the date to be sampled. FISH technique showed cells with Y chromosome in the epithelium of renal tubules of the female mice transplanted with Sca-1(+) cells. RCA(+)/CYP(1A2)(+)/CD(45)(-)/F(4/80)(-) and vimentin(+)/CD(45)(-)/F(4/80)(-) cells were found in the epithelial cells of renal tubules and glomeruli respectively.

Scan-1(+) cells most of which are hematopoietic stem cells from murine fetal liver can transdifferentiate into renal cells.