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Updated: Mar 10, 2026

Human Dupuytren's Ex Vivo Culture for the Study of Myofibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix Interactions
Published on: April 18, 2015
Embryonic Stem Cell-like Population in Dupuytren's Disease
Sabrina P Koh1, Nicholas On1, Helen D Brasch1
1Gillies McIndoe Research Institute and Wellington Regional Plastic, Reconstructive, Maxillofacial & Burns Unit, Hutt Hospital, Wellington, New Zealand.
Researchers discovered embryonic stem cell-like (ESC) cells in Dupuytren's disease (DD) tissue. These cells, found on microvessel endothelium, express key ESC markers and may represent a novel therapeutic target for DD.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Tissue engineering
- Regenerative medicine
Background:
- Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in Dupuytren's disease (DD) tissue are implicated in disease progression.
- The origin of these MSCs, potentially from a more primitive cell population, remains unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize a primitive cell population upstream of MSCs in DD tissue.
- To investigate the potential role of embryonic stem cell-like (ESC) cells in DD pathogenesis.
Main Methods:
- Immunohistochemical staining of DD tissue sections for ESC markers (OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, pSTAT3, SALL4) and endothelial markers (CD34, ERG).
- NanoString gene expression analysis to assess transcriptional activation of identified markers.
Main Results:
- Expression of ESC markers OCT4, NANOG, SOX2, pSTAT3, and SALL4 was observed on the endothelium of CD34/ERG-positive microvessels in DD tissue.
- NanoString analysis confirmed transcriptional activation of OCT4, NANOG, STAT3, and SALL4.
Conclusions:
- A novel population of ESC-like cells has been identified within DD microvessels.
- These cells, localized to the endothelium, represent a potential new therapeutic target for Dupuytren's disease.
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