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P63 expression levels in side population and low light scattering ocular surface epithelial cells
Seth P Epstein1, J Mario Wolosin, Penny A Asbell
1Department of Ophthalmology and Black Family Stem Cell Institute, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, New York, USA.
Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society
|October 24, 2006
Summary
p63 protein concentration is highest in limbal stem cells and decreases with differentiation. High p63 levels correlate with stem cell phenotypes, aiding in ocular surface health research.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Epithelial stem cells are crucial for ocular surface maintenance.
- The marker p63 is proposed for epithelial stem cells but shows variable expression.
- Understanding p63 expression patterns is vital for identifying and utilizing stem cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate p63 expression in limbal stem cell populations.
- To compare p63 levels in stem cell-associated cells versus controls.
- To clarify the role of p63 in stem cell identification and differentiation.
Main Methods:
- Rabbit limbocorneal cryosections and sorted limbal cells were analyzed.
- Indirect immunofluorescence staining was used to detect p63.
- Image analysis quantified p63 intensity and correlated it with colony size and cell cycling.
Main Results:
- All basal limbal cells expressed p63, with varying intensity levels.
- Side population (SP) and low side scatter (LSSC) cells showed higher p63 intensity.
- Slow-cycling cells exhibited significantly higher p63 levels compared to rapidly proliferating cells.
Conclusions:
- p63 concentration is maximal in limbal stem cells and diminishes upon differentiation.
- High p63 expression is indicative of stemness, particularly in SP and LSSC cells.
- Identifying stem cells via p63 expression can advance ocular surface health research.
