003. ENDOMETRIUM: CINDERELLA TISSUE IN A STEM CELL WORLD

2009 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
pp. 3
Author(s):  
C. E. Gargett
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Endometrial Cancer ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Human Endometrium ◽  
Cancer Tissue ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Epithelial Progenitor Cells

Despite human endometrium undergoing more than 400 cycles of regeneration, differentiation and shedding during a woman's reproductive years, and that in non-menstruating species (eg rodents) there are cycles of endometrial growth and apoptosis, endometrial stem/progenitor cells have only recently been identified. Since there are no specific stem cell markers, initial studies using functional approaches identified candidate epithelial and stromal endometrial stem/progenitor cells as colony forming cells/units (CFU) (1). Further evaluation of key stem cell properties of individual CFU demonstrated that rare EpCAM+ epithelial cells and EpCAM- stromal cells underwent self renewal by serial subcloning >3 times and underwent >30 population doublings in culture. Clonally-derived epithelial cells differentiated into cytokeratin+ gland-like structures. Single stromal cells were multipotent as they differentiated into 4 mesodermal lineages; myogenic, adipogenic, osteoblastic and chondrogenic, suggesting that human endometrium contains a rare population of epithelial progenitor cells and mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) (2). Transplantation of freshly isolated human endometrial cells into immunocompromised mice reconstructed endometrial tissue that responded to estrogen and progesterone (3). Endometrial MSC can be prospectively isolated by co-expression of CD146 and PDGFRβ (4), but not Stro-1, a bone marrow MSC marker (5). Currently there are no known markers of endometrial epithelial progenitor cells. Endometrial cancer tissue harbours a small subpopulation of clonogenic, self-renewing, tumour-initiating cells, producing tumours that recapitulate parent tumours in histoarchitecture and differentiation markers (ERα, PR, cytokeratin, vimentin) when xenografted into mice, suggesting they are cancer stem cells. Candidate epithelial and stromal stem/progenitor cells have been identified in mouse endometrium as label retaining cells (LRC) in the luminal epithelium and perivascular cells at the endometrial-myometrial junction, respectively (6). It is likely that endometrial stem/progenitor cells play key roles in the development of gynecological diseases associated with abnormal endometrial proliferation such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer (7).

Abstract 860: Phenotypic Characterization Of Murine And Human Cardiac-resident Progenitor Cells Isolated On Basis Of Aldehyde-dehydrogenase Activity

Circulation ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 116 (suppl_16) ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert Spicher ◽  
Andrea Meinhardt ◽  
Marc-Estienne Roehrich ◽  
Giuseppe Vassalli
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Aldehyde Dehydrogenase ◽  
Adult Mouse ◽  
Heart Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Aldh Activity ◽  
Differentiation Potential ◽  
Cellular Property

Identification of stem cells based on hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) surface markers, such as stem cell antigen-1 (Sca-1) and the c-kit receptor, has limited specificity. High aldehyde-dehydrogenase (ALDH) activity is a general cellular property of stem cells shared by HSC, neural, and intestinal stem cells. The presence of cells with high ALDH activity in the adult heart has not been investigated. Methods: Cells were isolated from adult mouse hearts, and from atrial appendage samples from humans with ischemic or valvular heart disease. Myocyte-depleted mouse Sca-1+, and lineage (Lin)-negative/c-kit+ human heart cells were purified with immunomagnetic beads. ALDH-high cells were identified using a specific fluorescent substrate, and sorted by FACS. Cell surface marker analysis was performed by flow cytometry. Results: Myocyte-depleted mouse heart cells contained 4.8+/−3.2% ALDH-high/SSC-low and 32.6+/−1.6% Sca-1+ cells. ALDH-high cells were Lin-negative, Sca-1+ CD34+ CD105+ CD106+, contained small CD44+ (27%) and CD45+ (15%) subpopulations, and were essentially negative for c-kit (2%), CD29, CD31, CD133 and Flk-1. After several passages in culture, ~20% of ALDH-high cells remained ALDH-high. Myocyte-depleted human atrial cells contained variable numbers of ALDH-high cells ranging from 0.5% to 11%, and 4% Lin-negative/c-kit+ cells. ALDH-high cells were CD29+ CD105+, contained a small c-kit+ subpopulation (5%), and were negative for CD31, CD45 and CD133. After 5 passages in culture, the majority of ALDH-high cells remained ALDH-high. Conclusions: Adult mouse and human hearts contain significant numbers of cells with high ALDH activity, a general cellular property that stem cells possess in different organs, and express stem cell markers (Sca-1 and CD34 in the mouse). The immunophenotype of cardiac-resident ALDH-high cells differs from that previously described for bone marrow ALDH-high HSC, and suggests that this cell population may be enriched in mesenchymal progenitors. Analysis of lineage differentiation potential of ALDH-high cells is in progress. ALDH activity provides a new, practical approach to purifying cardiac-resident progenitor cells.

Donor Origin of Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells in Radiation Chimeras.

Blood ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 106 (11) ◽  
pp. 1395-1395
Author(s):  
Morayma Reyes ◽  
Jeffrey S. Chamberlain
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Bone Marrow ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Y Chromosome ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Mononuclear Cells ◽  
Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells

Abstract Multipotent Adult Progenitor Cells (MAPC) are bone marrow derived stem cells that can be extensively expanded in vitro and can differentiate in vivo and in vitro into cells of all three germinal layers: ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm. The origin of MAPC within bone marrow (BM) is unknown. MAPC are believed to be derived from the BM stroma compartment as they are isolated within the adherent cell component. Numerous studies of bone marrow chimeras in human and mouse point to a host origin of bone marrow stromal cells, including mesenchymal stem cells. We report here that following syngeneic bone marrow transplants into lethally irradiated C57Bl/6 mice, MAPC are of donor origin. When MAPC were isolated from BM chimeras (n=12, 4–12 weeks post-syngeneic BM transplant from a transgenic mouse ubiquitously expressing GFP), a mixture of large and small GFP-positive and GFP-negative cells were seen early in culture. While the large cells stained positive for stroma cell markers (smooth muscle actin), mesenchymal stem cell makers (CD73, CD105, CD44) or macrophages (CD45, CD14), the small cells were negative for all these markers and after 30 cell doublings, these cells displayed the classical phenotype of MAPC (CD45−,CD105−, CD44−, CD73−, FLK-1+(vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2, VEGFR2), Sca-1+,CD13+). In a second experiment, BM obtained one month post BM transplant (n=3) was harvested and mononuclear cells were sorted as GFP-positive and GFP-negative cells and were cultured in MAPC expansion medium. MAPC grew from the GFP-positive fraction. These GFP positive cells displayed the typical MAPC-like immunophenotypes, displayed a normal diploid karyotype and were expanded for more than 50 cell doublings and differentiated into endothelial cells, hepatocytes and neurons. To rule out the possibility that MAPC are the product of cell fusion between a host and a donor cell either in vivo or in our in vitro culture conditions, we performed sex mismatched transplants of female GFP donor BM cells into a male host. BM from 5 chimeras were harvested 4 weeks after transplant and MAPC cultures were established. MAPC colonies were then sorted as GFP-positive and GFP- negative and analyzed for the presence of Y-chromosome by FISH analysis. As expected all GFP-negative (host cells) contained the Y-chromosome whereas all GFP-positive cells (donor cells) were negative for the Y-chromosome by FISH. This proves that MAPC are not derived from an in vitro or in vivo fusion event. In a third study, BM mononuclear cells from mice that had been previously BM-transplanted with syngeneic GFP-positive donors (n=3) were transplanted into a second set of syngeneic recipients (n=9). Two months after the second transplant, BM was harvested and mononuclear cells were cultured in MAPC medium. The secondary recipients also contained GFP-positive MAPC. This is the first demonstration that BM transplantation leads to the transfer of cells that upon isolation in vitro generate MAPCs and, whatever the identity of this cell may be, is eliminated by irradiation. We believe this is an important observation as MAPC hold great clinical potential for stem cell and/or gene therapy and, thus, BM transplant may serve as a way to deliver and reconstitute the MAPC population. In addition, this study provides insight into the nature of MAPC. The capacity to be transplantable within unfractionated BM transplant renders a functional and physiological distinction between MAPC and BM stromal cells. This study validates the use of unfractionated BM transplants to study the nature and possible in vivo role of MAPC in the BM.

scholarly journals Endometrial Stem Cell Markers: Current Concepts and Unresolved Questions

2018 ◽  
Vol 19 (10) ◽  
pp. 3240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Tempest ◽  
Alison Maclean ◽  
Dharani Hapangama
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Human Endometrium ◽  
Current Evidence ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Epithelial Stem Cells ◽  
Functional Layer ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Stromal Stem Cells

The human endometrium is a highly regenerative organ undergoing over 400 cycles of shedding and regeneration over a woman’s lifetime. Menstrual shedding and the subsequent repair of the functional layer of the endometrium is a process unique to humans and higher-order primates. This massive regenerative capacity is thought to have a stem cell basis, with human endometrial stromal stem cells having already been extensively studied. Studies on endometrial epithelial stem cells are sparse, and the current belief is that the endometrial epithelial stem cells reside in the terminal ends of the basalis glands at the endometrial/myometrial interface. Since almost all endometrial pathologies are thought to originate from aberrations in stem cells that regularly regenerate the functionalis layer, expansion of our current understanding of stem cells is necessary in order for curative treatment strategies to be developed. This review critically appraises the postulated markers in order to identify endometrial stem cells. It also examines the current evidence supporting the existence of epithelial stem cells in the human endometrium that are likely to be involved both in glandular regeneration and in the pathogenesis of endometrial proliferative diseases such as endometriosis and endometrial cancer.

scholarly journals Embryonic attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling defines niche location and long-term stem cell fate in hair follicle

eLife ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zijian Xu ◽  
Wenjie Wang ◽  
Kaiju Jiang ◽  
Zhou Yu ◽  
Huanwei Huang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Hair Follicle ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Cell Fate ◽  
Adult Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Hair Follicle Stem Cells ◽  
Follicle Stem Cells

Long-term adult stem cells sustain tissue regeneration throughout the lifetime of an organism. They were hypothesized to originate from embryonic progenitor cells that acquire long-term self-renewal ability and multipotency at the end of organogenesis. The process through which this is achieved often remains unclear. Here, we discovered that long-term hair follicle stem cells arise from embryonic progenitor cells occupying a niche location that is defined by attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Hair follicle initiation is marked by placode formation, which depends on the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling. Soon afterwards, a region with attenuated Wnt/β-catenin signaling emerges in the upper follicle. Embryonic progenitor cells residing in this region gain expression of adult stem cell markers and become definitive long-term hair follicle stem cells at the end of organogenesis. Attenuation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling is a prerequisite for hair follicle stem cell specification because it suppresses Sox9, which is required for stem cell formation.

Identification of Novel Surface Markers and Targets In Neoplastic Stem Cells In AML and CML: a Flow-Gene-Flow Screen Approach.

Blood ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 116 (21) ◽  
pp. 1575-1575 ◽  
Author(s):  
Harald Herrmann ◽  
Sabine Cerny-Reiterer ◽  
Irina Sadovnik ◽  
Viviane Winter ◽  
Katharina Blatt ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Surface ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Gene Chip ◽  
Cytokine Receptors ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Surface Markers ◽  
Leukemic Stem Cells

Abstract Abstract 1575 The concept of leukemic stem cells (LSC) is increasingly employed to explain the biology of various myeloid neoplasms and to screen for pivotal targets, with the hope to improve drug therapy through elimination of disease-initiating cells. Although the stem cell hypothesis may apply to all neoplasms, leukemia-initiating cells have so far only been characterized in some detail in myeloid leukemias. In an attempt to identify novel cell surface markers and targets on leukemic stem cells (LSC) in acute (AML) and chronic myeloid leukemia (CML), we examined CD34+/CD38- and CD34+/CD38+ populations of leukemic cells in a cohort of patients with AML (n=55) and CML (n=20). In a first step, cell surface antigen profiles were determined by multicolor flow cytometry. In this screen, we were able to show that CD34+/CD38- LSC in AML and CML consistently express certain cytokine receptors, including G-CSFR (CD114), SCFR/KIT (CD117), and IL-3RA (CD123). The low affinity IL-2R (CD25) was detectable on CD34+/CD38- stem cells in patients with CML, and in a subset of AML patients. Other cytokine receptors (R) such as FLT3, IGF-1R, endoglin (CD105), GM-CSFRA (CD116), and OSMR were expressed variably on CD34+/CD38- progenitor cells, whereas the EPOR was not detectable on LSC. We were also able to detect several established therapeutic targets on LSC, including CD33 and CD44. Whereas CD44 was consistently expressed on all LSC in all donors, CD33 was found to be expressed variably on subpopulations of LSC in AML and CML, depending on the phase and type of disease. By using cytokine ligands (G-CSF, IL-3, SCF, EPO) and targeted drugs, we were also able to confirm that identified cytokine receptors and targets were functionally active molecules and potentially relevant targets. In a next step, highly enriched (purity >98%) sorted CD34+/CD38- cells, CD34+/CD38+ cells, and CD34- cells were collected in patients with AML and CML, and in 3 cord blood samples as controls. Purified cells were subjected to gene chip analyses, qPCR, and functional analyses. The identity of leukemic progenitors was confirmed by FISH, and expression of markers and targets in CML stem cells and AML stem cells was confirmed by qPCR. In gene chip analyses, we screened for novel LSC markers and targets. Candidate genes were selected based and their specific expression in progenitor cell fractions and surface membrane location, which was confirmed by antibody staining experiments. Novel stem cell markers identified so far include ROBO4, NPDC-1, and CXCR7. The previously described surface markers MDR-1 and CLL-1 were also identified by flow cytometry, but were also found to be expressed on more mature hematopoietic cells. By contrast, ROBO4 was found to be expressed preferentially on CD34+/CD38- stem cells, but less abundantly on CD34+/CD38+ progenitor cells in CML. Interestingly, whereas ROBO4 was expressed on CD34+/CD38- stem cells in most patients with CML, ROBO4 expression on leukemic stem cells was only found in a subset of AML patients. By contrast, CD34+/CD38- stem cells in AML frequently expressed CLL-1 and NPDC-1 on their surface. In conclusion, we have identified novel markers and targets in CD34+/CD38- progenitor cells in AML and CML. These markers may be useful for the identification and isolation of leukemic stem cells in AML and CML, and for the validation of drug effects on these cells. Disclosures: De Angelis: Biopharm R&D, GSK: Employment. Holmes:Biopharm R&D, GSK: Employment. Valent:Domantis: Research Funding.

scholarly journals Islet morphogenesis and stem cell markers in rat pancreas.

1996 ◽  
Vol 44 (9) ◽  
pp. 947-951 ◽  
Author(s):  
L Bouwens ◽  
E De Blay
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Epithelial Cells ◽  
Endocrine Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Marker ◽  
Intermediate Filament Protein ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Epithelial Stem Cells ◽  
Duct Cells ◽  
Pancreatic Islets Of Langerhans

During embryonic development, and possibly also later in life, pancreatic islets of Langerhans originate from differentiating epithelial stem cells. These stem cells are situated in the pancreatic ducts but are otherwise poorly characterized. We found by immunohistochemical staining that protodifferentiated pancreatic epithelial cells from rat embryos of Day 13-Day 15 express the cytoskeletal protein keratin 20, similar to mature duct epithelium. During the period of islet morphogenesis, which occurs between Day 17 and birth, large aggregates of K20-positive duct cells were formed, which gradually differentiated into endocrine cells. This islet morphogenic mechanism has not been described thus far and we did not observe it in postnatal rats. During fetal islet formation, transient expression of vimentin was noted in the duct cells but not in endocrine cells. This intermediate filament protein is not observed in duct epithelial cells after birth. The proto-oncogene product bcl-2, a putative epithelial stem cell marker, was detected in duct cells from fetal and postnatal pancreas. We conclude that K20, vimentin, and bcl-2 are markets for the pancreatic (islet) stem cells.

scholarly journals 268.Identifying markers for stromal stem/progenitor cells in human endometrium

2004 ◽  
Vol 16 (9) ◽  
pp. 268 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. E. Schwab ◽  
C. E. Gargett
Keyword(s):  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Stromal Cells ◽  
Stromal Cell ◽  
Endometrial Tissue ◽  
Cell Populations ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Endometrial Stromal Cell ◽  
Cell Markers

The endometrium is divided into upper functionalis, which rapidly grows then differentiates before being shed, and lower basalis, from which cyclical regeneration begins. A small proportion of endometrial stromal cells have been identified with clonogenic activity, a functional property of stem cells (1). We hypothesised that stromal stem/progenitor cells expressing known stem cell markers reside in the basalis. The aims of this study were to: (1) investigate the clonogenic activity of human endometrial stromal cell populations enriched and depleted for known stem cell markers, and (2) identify a marker that will differentiate basalis from functionalis stroma. Endometrial tissue acquired from 23 ovulating women undergoing hysterectomy was digested with collagenase to produce single cell suspensions. Leukocytes and epithelial cells were removed, and stromal cells analysed by flow cytometry, FACS sorted into enriched and depleted populations, and cultured for clonal analysis as described (1). Markers analysed included stem cell markers, STRO-1, CD133, CD45 and CD34, and an endometrial stromal cell marker, CD90 (2). Immunohistochemical analysis of CD90 was performed on full thickness human endometrial tissue. CD45– endometrial stromal cell populations contained 2.13 � 0.65% (n = 13) STRO-1+, and 5.43 � 1.42% (n = 16) CD133+ cells. Stromal cell populations enriched (0.65 � 0.42%) and depleted (0.95 � 0.58%) for STRO-1 showed no significant difference (P = 0.19, n = 5) for clonogenic activity. Surprisingly, clonogenicity of CD133+ stromal cells (0.74 � 0.56%) was lower than CD133– (3.89 � 1.35%) cells (P = 0.03, n = 6). Immunohistochemical staining showed strong CD90 staining in the functionalis, with lighter staining in the basalis. These observations were confirmed by flow cytometric analysis which identified two distinct populations (n = 9), CD90low (19.55 � 4.35%) and CD90hi (74.71 � 5.20%). Clonogenic analysis of these two populations is underway. Interestingly, dual-colour flow cytometry showed the CD133+ cells to be CD90low (n = 7). Further analysis suggests that the CD90lowCD133+ population are CD45–CD34+, suggesting endothelial progenitor cells. This study identified CD90 as a marker that distinguishes basalis and functionalis stroma, and demonstrated that STRO-1 and CD133 are not functional markers for clonogenic endometrial stromal stem/progenitor cells. (1) Chan RW, Schwab KE, Gargett CE (2004) Biol. Reprod. 70, in press. (2) Fernandez-Shaw S, Shorter SC, Naish CE, Barlow DH, Starkey PM (1992) Hum. Reprod. 7,156–161.

scholarly journals A Stem Cell Surge During Thyroid Regeneration

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Risheng Ma ◽  
Syed A. Morshed ◽  
Rauf Latif ◽  
Terry F. Davies
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Transgenic Mice ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Diphtheria Toxin ◽  
Adult Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell Marker ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Thyroid Cells ◽  
Double Transgenic Mice

BackgroundMany tissues, including the thyroid, contain resident (adult) stem cells that are responsible for regeneration and repair after injury. The mechanisms of thyroid regeneration and the role of thyroid stem cells and thyroid progenitor cells in this process are not well understood. We have now used a new mouse thyroid injury model to gain insight into this phenomenon.MethodsTamoxifen induced TPO-Cre mice (TPOCreER2) were crossed with inducible Diphtheria Toxin Receptor homozygous mice (ROSA26iDTR) to give rise to TPOCreER2/iDTR mice, allowing for the Cre-mediated expression of the DTR and rendering TPO expressing thyroid cells highly sensitive to diphtheria toxin (DT). This model of TPOCreER2/iDTR mice allowed us to study the repair/regeneration of thyroid follicles after diphtheria toxin induced thyroid damage by measuring serum thyroid hormones and cell fate.ResultsIn TPOCreER2/iDTR double transgenic mice we observed severe thyroid damage as early as 2 weeks after initiating intraperitoneal DT injections. There was marked thyroid tissue apoptosis and a ~50% drop in serum T4 levels (from 5.86 to 2.43 ug/dl) and a corresponding increase in serum TSH (from 0.18 to 8.39 ng/dl). In addition, there was a ~50% decrease in transcription of thyroid specific genes (thyroglobulin, TSH receptor, and sodium-iodide symporter). After suspending the DT administration, the thyroid rapidly recovered over a 4-week period during which we observed a transient surge in stem cell marker expression (including Oct4, Nanog, Sox2, and Rex1). In addition, cells immunostaining with stem cell markers Oct4 and Ssea-1 were found in clusters around new thyroid follicles in TPOCreER2/iDTR double transgenic mice. Furthermore, the presence of clusters of thyroid progenitor cells was also identified by Pax8 staining of thyroglobulin negative cells. This recovery of the injured gland was followed by a rapid and sequential restoration of thyroid function.ConclusionThese data demonstrate that a new model of thyroid cell damage induced by DT can be used to study the mobilization of resident adult stem cells. Furthermore, the model clearly demonstrates the involvement of both stem and progenitor cells in the in vivo regeneration of the thyroid after severe destruction.

scholarly journals Cancer stem cells and their detection using specific cancer stem cell markers- a new strategy for cancer therapies

2021 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 094-099
Author(s):  
Khalida I. Noel ◽  
Rana M. Raoof ◽  
Nibras H. Khamees
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cancer Stem Cells ◽  
Cancer Stem Cell ◽  
Tumor Cells ◽  
Cancer Tissue ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Cell Markers ◽  
Cancer Stem Cell Markers

Background: In the previous theories of cancer, they considered that cancer was a homogeneous which mean that the tumor had only tumor cells and for this reason the treatment for any tumor directed to kill these tumor cells. But, with rising of the metastatic cases of cancer patients, another theory have been raised, that the cancer is a heterogeneous disease which composed of tumor cells that previously the chemotherapy and other cancer therapies directed toward them, in addition there is another group of cells, called cancer stem cells (CSCs), these are more aggressive than the tumor cells that can force the poor microenvironment of the cancer tissue and survive and also they are undifferentiated cells so can undergo mitosis to produce more tumor cells and another group of cancer stem cells in contrast to the tumor cells, which considered a post mitotic and not divided. Objective: Demonstrate some of cancer stem cell markers that considered an important indicators of early cancer development and lately to detect cases of metastasis. Conclusion: The theory of the presence of cancer stem cells is more acceptable and applicable and so the cancer therapy must be directed to these groups of cancer stem cells.

Phenotyping Of Leukemic Stem Cells In Ph+ ALL and Ph- ALL Reveals Unique Profiles Of Markers and Targets In Distinct Disease Variants

Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 1654-1654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabine Cerny-Reiterer ◽  
Katharina Blatt ◽  
Harald Herrmann ◽  
Gregor Eisenwort ◽  
Susanne Herndlhofer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Flow Cytometry ◽  
Stem Cell ◽  
Progenitor Cells ◽  
Lymphoblastic Leukemia ◽  
Mrna Level ◽  
Stem Cell Markers ◽  
Leukemic Stem Cells ◽  
Dapi Staining ◽  
Number Of Patients

Abstract Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a life-threatening hematopoietic neoplasm characterized by abnormal growth and accumulation of lymphatic blast cells in various hematopoietic tissues. In a substantial number of patients, the Philadelphia (Ph) chromosome and the related oncoprotein BCR/ABL, are detectable. Despite recent advances in the management and therapy of patients with ALL, including the use of BCR/ABL1 tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI), the prognosis is still poor. Therefore, several attempts have been made to improve targeted treatment approaches in ALL. One strategy is to identify markers and targets expressed on leukemic stem cells (LSC) in these patients and to apply targeted drugs in order to eliminate LSC. In patients with Ph+ ALL, the leukemia-initiating cell-population is considered to reside within a CD34+/CD38- fraction of the clone. In the present study, we examined the expression of various stem cell markers and target antigens in CD34+/CD38- stem cells and in more mature CD34+/CD38+ progenitor cells in patients with Ph+ ALL (n=12), Ph- ALL (n=13), Ph+ CML (n=20), and in control bone marrow (BM) samples (unexplained cytopenia, n=10). Surface expression of target antigens was analyzed by multicolor flow cytometry, and mRNA expression levels by qPCR. As assessed by flow cytometry, CD34+/CD38- cells were found to co-express CD19, the stem cell-homing receptor CD44, the Campath-1 antigen (CD52), AC133 (CD133), FLT3 (CD135), and CXCR4 (CD184) in all ALL patients examined. In a majority of the ALL patients tested (14/25), LSC also expressed Siglec-3 (CD33). In CML, LSC were found to express a similar profile of antigens, including CD33, CD44, CD52, CD133, CD135, and CXCR4, but these cells did not express CD19. In control BM samples, CD34+/CD38- cells expressed a similar phenotype, but the levels of CD33 and CD52 were lower compared to LSC in ALL and CML. The IL-1RAP was found to be expressed on LSC in patients with Ph+ CML and Ph+ ALL, but not on LSC in Ph- ALL or in normal BM stem cells. By contrast, the SCF receptor KIT (CD117) was found to be expressed on LSC in Ph+ CML but was hardly detectable on LSC in patients with Ph+ ALL or Ph- ALL. The IL-2RA (CD25) and the SDF-1-degrading surface enzyme dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPPIV=CD26) were expressed on LSC in patients with CML and in all patients with Ph+ ALL exhibiting BCR/ABL-p210, whereas in Ph+ ALL with BCR/ABL-p190, LSC variably expressed CD25, and did not express CD26. In patients with Ph- ALL and in the normal BM, CD34+/CD38- cells did not express CD25 or CD26. The target receptor CD20 was detectable on ALL LSC in 7/18 patients examined. All target receptors tested were also detectable on more mature CD34+/CD38+ progenitor cells in patients with Ph+ ALL and Ph- ALL. In consecutive studies, expression of target antigens was confirmed at the mRNA level by qPCR analyses of highly enriched ALL LSC. Finally, we were able to show that the CD52-targeting drug alemtuzumab induces rapid lysis of CD34+/CD38- ALL LSC in all patients examined (Figure). In summary, our data show that LSC in Ph+ ALL and Ph- ALL express a unique phenotype, including clinically relevant cytokine receptors and cell surface target antigens, including the Campath-1 antigen, CD52. In Ph+ ALL with BCR/ABL-p210, the phenotype of ALL LSC largely resembles the phenotype of LSC in Ph+ CML, confirming the close relationship and similar pathogenesis of these two types of leukemias. Ficoll-isolated MNC of 4 patients with Ph+ ALL were incubated in control medium (Co) or in various concentrations of alemtuzumab (10-300 µg/ml) in RPMI 1640 medium in the presence of 30% human serum at 37°C for 1 hour. After washing, cells were stained with fluorochrome-conjugated mAb against CD34, CD38 and CD45 for 15 minutes. DAPI-staining was used to evaluate the percentage of viable cells. Cells were analysed using a FACSCanto II and FlowJo software. Results show the numbers of viable CD34+/CD38- cells and are expressed as percent of control (Co). Values represent the mean±S.D. of four independent experiments. Asterisk (*): p<0.05 compared to control. Disclosures: Valent: Novartis: Consultancy, Honoraria, Research Funding.

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