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Human Dupuytren's Ex Vivo Culture for the Study of Myofibroblasts and Extracellular Matrix Interactions
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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.

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. Global Open
|December 16, 2016
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

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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