Culture of skin-derived precursors and their differentiation into neurons / 中华器官移植杂志

ABSTRACT

ObjectiveTo investigate the culture conditions of skin-derived precursors (SKPs) and to explore a new cell source for central nervous system cell transplantation.MethodCells from skins of juvenile and adult mice were isolated and cultured in serum -free medium, and mechanical methods were adapted to passage these cells and ce lls were identified by immunocytochemistry.ResultsA population of SKPs could be isolated from adult and neonatal skins. They co uld be maintained in vitro for extended periods with stable population doubling, and they were expanded as undifferentiated cells in culture for more than 8 pas sages, indicating their proliferative capacity. About 50?% of SKPs expressed n estin and the majorities of these cells expressed fibronectin when they were pla ted on polyornithine and laminin coated plates. About 5?% cells showed typical complicated neuronal states and expressed NF-M and NSE when SKPs were plated i n serum-containing medium. These cell could also differentiate into adipocytes and fibroblast-like cells.ConclusionsAdult skin contains stem cells capable of differentiating into neurons, adipocyt es and fibroblast-like cells. SKPs may represent an alternative autologous stem cell source for CNS cell transplantation.