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Published on: December 13, 2019
Identification of a Zeb1 expressing basal stem cell subpopulation in the prostate
Xue Wang1,2, Haibo Xu3,4, Chaping Cheng1,2
1State Key Laboratory of Oncogenes and Related Genes, Renji-Med-X Stem Cell Research Center, Department of Urology, Ren Ji Hospital, School of Medicine and School of Biomedical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200127, China.
Researchers identified a specific subpopulation of prostate basal cells expressing Zeb1 as multipotent prostate basal stem cells (PBSCs). These PBSCs self-renew and form glandular structures, playing a key role in prostate development and potentially tumorigenesis.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Prostate development
- Epithelial biology
Background:
- Basal cells in epithelial tissues are considered stem cells, but are heterogeneous.
- The specific stem cell subpopulation within basal cells remains poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify and characterize the stem cell subpopulation within prostate basal cells.
- To investigate the role of Zeb1 in prostate basal stem cell function and prostate development.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell transcriptomic analysis of over 9000 mouse prostate basal cells.
- Genetic ablation studies to assess Zeb1 function.
- Detection of Zeb1+ epithelial cells in mouse and human prostate tumors.
Main Results:
- Identified a Zeb1-expressing prostate basal cell subpopulation.
- These Zeb1+ cells are multipotent prostate basal stem cells (PBSCs) capable of self-renewal and generating glandular structures.
- Zeb1 is essential for prostate basal cell development.
- Zeb1+ epithelial cells are present in both normal and cancerous prostate tissues.
Conclusions:
- Zeb1 marks a crucial stem cell population in the prostate (PBSCs).
- Understanding PBSCs and their transcriptomic profile is vital for advancing knowledge of prostate development and cancer.
- Zeb1+ cells in tumors suggest a role in prostate tumorigenesis.
