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09:47
Differentiation of Newborn Mouse Skin Derived Stem Cells into Germ-like Cells In vitro
Published on: July 16, 2013
Differential ability of somatic stem cells
Koichi Oishi1, Hirofumi Noguchi, Hiroshi Yukawa
1Department of Advanced Medicine in Biotechnology and Robotics, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya 466-8550, Japan.
Cell Transplantation
|September 25, 2009
Summary
Somatic stem cells, including adipose-derived stem/progenitor cells and pancreatic stem cells, showed limited transdifferentiation potential. These stem cells did not readily differentiate into other germ layer cell types under the tested conditions.
Area of Science:
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Somatic stem cells (SSCs) are being investigated for their potential similarity to embryonic stem (ES) cells.
- The capacity of SSCs to differentiate into all three germ layers remains largely undetermined.
- Adipose tissue-derived stem/progenitor cells (ASCs) and pancreatic stem cells are examples of SSCs with distinct germ layer origins.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the transdifferentiation potential of ASCs (mesodermal) and pancreatic stem cells (endodermal).
- To determine if SSCs can differentiate into cell types of other germ layers under specific laboratory conditions.
Main Methods:
- ASCs were subjected to two induction protocols aimed at promoting pancreatic differentiation, including serum-free conditions.
- Pancreatic stem cells were cultured using established protocols for adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation.
Main Results:
- ASCs did not express pancreas-specific genes, such as insulin-1 or insulin-2, despite attempts at induction.
- Pancreatic stem cells failed to undergo adipo/osteogenic differentiation, even when using widely accepted protocols for mesenchymal stem cells.
Conclusions:
- Somatic stem cells exhibit limited transdifferentiation capabilities into cell types of other germ layers.
- The plasticity of SSCs may be more restricted than previously suggested, particularly under specific experimental conditions.
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