Epithelial differentiation of human adipose tissue-derived adult stem cells

• Published in: Biochemical and biophysical research communications Vol. 330; no. 1; pp. 142 - 150
• Main Authors: Brzoska, Martin, Geiger, Helmut, Gauer, Stefan, Baer, Patrick
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 29-04-2005
• Subjects: Adipose Tissue - cytology; Adipose Tissue - drug effects; Adult; ATRA; Bio-artificial renal assist device; Cell Division - drug effects; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cytokeratin; Differentiation; Epithelial cells; Epithelial Cells - cytology; Epithelial Cells - drug effects; Flow Cytometry; Fluorescent Antibody Technique; Humans; Lipoaspirate; Mesenchymal; Retinoids; Stem cells; Stem Cells - cytology; Stem Cells - drug effects; Tissue engineering; Tretinoin - pharmacology; Bio-artificial renal assist device; Cytokeratin; Epithelial cells; Lipoaspirate; Tissue engineering; Stem cells; Retinoids; Differentiation; ATRA; Mesenchymal
• ISSN: 0006-291X; 1090-2104
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2005.02.141

Adult human stem cells are employed in novel treatments and bio-artificial devices. Recent studies have identified an abundant source of stem cells termed adipose-derived adult stem (ADAS)-cells in the subcutaneous adipose tissue. Under appropriate culture conditions ADAS-cells differentiate to various cell types, including chondrocytes, adipocytes, and smooth muscle cells. Aiming at epithelial differentiation this study investigated the effect of all-
trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on human ADAS-cells. ATRA-induced cytokeratin 18 expression in ADAS-cells and nearly abolished vimentin expression as shown by Western blot. In immunofluorescence, the formation of keratin fibers in ATRA-treated ADAS-cells could be observed. The percentage of ADAS-cells being able to undergo epithelial differentiation as quantified by FACS-analysis was above 80%. Inhibition of cell growth by ATRA was shown using DAPI- and MTT-assays. ATRA can differentiate ADAS-cells toward the epithelial lineage. This finding, along with a previously described neural differentiation, shows that ADAS-cells have epithelial potential.