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Profiling Individual Human Embryonic Stem Cells by Quantitative RT-PCR
Published on: May 29, 2014
Transcriptional profiling of putative human epithelial stem cells
Salih S Koçer1, Petar M Djurić, Mónica F Bugallo
1Department of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, State University of New York at Stony Brook, Stony Brook, NY, USA. Salih.Kocer@yale.edu
BMC Genomics
|August 1, 2008
Summary
Human epidermal stem cells (alpha 6+/MHCI-) show gene expression patterns similar to hair follicle stem cells. This research provides insights into self-renewal and differentiation, crucial for skin health and disease.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Stem Cell Biology
- Molecular and Cellular Biology
- Immunology
Background:
- Human interfollicular epidermis relies on stem cells and transient amplifying cells for renewal.
- Understanding these cell populations is key to deciphering skin self-renewal, differentiation, and pathogenesis.
- Major Histocompatibility Complex (MHC) class I and alpha 6 integrin are utilized to isolate distinct cell populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To obtain and compare gene expression profiles of alpha 6+/MHCI+ transient amplifying cells and alpha 6+/MHCI- putative stem cells.
- To compare these profiles with existing data for hair follicle stem cells.
- To identify molecular markers distinguishing epidermal stem cells from their progeny.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of basal cells from neonatal foreskin based on alpha 6 integrin and MHC class I expression.
- Determination of transcriptional profiles for alpha 6+/MHCI+ and alpha 6+/MHCI- cell populations.
- Comparative analysis of obtained gene expression data with published hair follicle stem cell profiles.
Main Results:
- Presumptive interfollicular stem cells (alpha 6+/MHCI-) are enriched in transcripts for surface receptors, cell adhesion, extracellular matrix, and interferon signaling.
- These stem cells exhibit lower levels of transcripts related to energy metabolism, cell cycle, and protein synthesis/degradation.
- Notch1 and NF-kappaB signaling pathways appear downregulated in MHC negative basal cells.
Conclusions:
- Alpha 6+/MHCI- cells display characteristics consistent with stem cells.
- The gene expression profile of alpha 6+/MHCI- cells shares similarities with mouse hair follicle bulge stem cells.
- This study presents the first comprehensive gene expression profile of putative human epithelial stem cells, offering valuable insights into epidermal stem cell biology and signaling pathways.
