Isolation and characterization of multipotent skin‐derived precursors from human skin

JG Toma, IA McKenzie, D Bagli, FD Miller - Stem cells, 2005 - academic.oup.com
JG Toma, IA McKenzie, D Bagli, FD Miller
Stem cells, 2005academic.oup.com
We have previously isolated, expanded, and characterized a multipotent precursor cell from
mammalian dermis (termed skin‐derived precursors [SKPs]) that can differentiate into both
neural and mesodermal progeny. In this study, we report the isolation, expansion, and
characterization of a similar precursor cell from neonatal human foreskin tissue. Like their
rodent counterparts, human SKPs grew in suspension as spheres in the presence of the
mitogens fibroblast growth factor 2 and epidermal growth factor and expressed nestin …
Abstract
We have previously isolated, expanded, and characterized a multipotent precursor cell from mammalian dermis (termed skin‐derived precursors [SKPs]) that can differentiate into both neural and mesodermal progeny. In this study, we report the isolation, expansion, and characterization of a similar precursor cell from neonatal human foreskin tissue. Like their rodent counterparts, human SKPs grew in suspension as spheres in the presence of the mitogens fibroblast growth factor 2 and epidermal growth factor and expressed nestin, fibronectin, vimentin, and characteristic embryonic transcription factors. Human SKPs could be maintained in culture for long periods of time and would still differentiate into neurons, glia, and smooth muscle cells, including cells with the phenotype of peripheral neurons and Schwann cells. Clonal analysis indicated that single SKP cells were multipotent and could give rise to all of these progeny. Moreover, human SKPs apparently derive from an endogenous precursor within human foreskin; a subpopulation of dissociated primary foreskin cells could differentiate into neurons, a cell type never seen in skin, and the initial spheres to develop from skin expressed the same markers and had the same potential as do passaged SKPs. Together, these data indicate that SKPs are an endogenous multipotent precursor cell present in human skin that can be isolated and expanded and differentiate into both neural and mesodermal cell types.
Oxford University Press