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Conditionally reprogrammed cells represent a stem-like state of adult epithelial cells

Frank A. Suprynowicz, Geeta Upadhyay, Ewa Krawczyk, Sarah C. Kramer, Jess D. Hebert, Xuefeng Liu, Hang Yuan, Chaitra Cheluvaraju, Phillip W. Clapp, Richard C. Boucher, Christopher M. Kamonjoh, Scott H. Randell, Richard Schlegel*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

247 Scopus citations

Abstract

The combination of irradiated fibroblast feeder cells and Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, conditionally induces an indefinite proliferative state in primary mammalian epithelial cells. These conditionally reprogrammed cells (CRCs) are karyotype-stable and nontumorigenic. Because self-renewal is a recognized property of stem cells, we investigated whether Y-27632 and feeder cells induced a stem-like phenotype. We found that CRCs share characteristics of adult stem cells and exhibit up-regulated expression of α6 and β1 integrins, ΔNp63α, CD44, and telomerase reverse transcriptase, as well as decreased Notch signaling and an increased level of nuclear β-catenin. The induction of CRCs is rapid (occurs within 2 d) and results from reprogramming of the entire cell population rather than the selection of a minor subpopulation. CRCs do not overexpress the transcription factor sets characteristic of embryonic or induced pluripotent stem cells (e.g., Sox2, Oct4, Nanog, or Klf4). The induction of CRCs is also reversible, and removal of Y-27632 and feeders allows the cells to differentiate normally. Thus, when CRCs from ectocervical epithelium or tracheal epithelium are placed in an air-liquid interface culture system, the cervical cells form a well differentiated stratified squamous epithelium, whereas the tracheal cells form a ciliated airway epithelium. We discuss the diagnostic and therapeutic opportunities afforded by a method that can generate adult stem-like cells in vitro without genetic manipulation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)20035-20040
Number of pages6
JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America
Volume109
Issue number49
DOIs
StatePublished - 4 Dec 2012

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