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Differentiation of Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells into Cortical Interneuron Precursors
Published on: December 3, 2017
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Decoding the activated stem cell phenotype of the neonatally maturing pituitary
Emma Laporte1, Florian Hermans1,2, Silke De Vriendt1
1Laboratory of Tissue Plasticity in Health and Disease, Cluster of Stem Cell and Developmental Biology, Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Elife
|June 14, 2022
Summary
Neonatal pituitary stem cells are highly active and possess a hybrid phenotype, crucial for gland maturation and regeneration. This activated state differs significantly from adult pituitary stem cells.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Stem Cell Biology
Background:
- The pituitary gland is the master endocrine regulator.
- Postnatal development involves active maturation of the pituitary gland in mice.
- Understanding the neonatal pituitary stem cell compartment is crucial for insights into gland development and regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the stem cell compartment of the neonatal mouse pituitary.
- To investigate the role of specific signaling pathways (IL-6, WNT) in neonatal pituitary stem cell function.
- To compare the regenerative capacity of the neonatal pituitary with the adult pituitary.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA-sequencing to profile neonatal pituitary cells.
- Organoid culturing to assess stem cell phenotype and paracrine activity.
- Transcriptomic analysis to identify key signaling pathways.
- Comparative analysis of neonatal and adult pituitary regeneration.
Main Results:
- Single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed proliferative stem and progenitor cell populations in the neonatal pituitary.
- Neonatal pituitary stem cells exhibit a hybrid epithelial/mesenchymal phenotype.
- Organoid cultures recapitulated stem cell phenotype and paracrine activity, with IL-6 promoting growth.
- A pronounced WNT pathway was identified, involved in stem cell activation and overlapping with human fetal pituitary transcriptomes.
- The neonatal pituitary demonstrates efficient regeneration after damage, without increased stem cell proliferation or signaling pathway upregulation, unlike the adult pituitary.
Conclusions:
- The neonatal pituitary stem cell compartment is in an activated state, essential for gland maturation.
- Interleukin-6 and WNT signaling pathways play significant roles in neonatal pituitary stem cell activation.
- The neonatal pituitary exhibits a distinct and robust regenerative capacity compared to the adult pituitary.
- Deciphering neonatal pituitary stem cell dynamics offers potential for future pituitary regenerative strategies.
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