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Evidence for stem cells in cultures of mouse prostate epithelial cells
Author(s) -
Sawicki Janet A.,
Rothman Craig J.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
the prostate
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.295
H-Index - 123
eISSN - 1097-0045
pISSN - 0270-4137
DOI - 10.1002/pros.10031
Subject(s) - stem cell , prostate , epithelium , biology , pathology , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , cancer
Abstract BACKGROUND Primary cultures of mouse prostatic epithelial cells were studied to identify cells having stem cell characteristics. METHODS Culture conditions supporting the growth of mouse prostatic epithelial cells were identified. Immunostaining identified cells expressing cytokeratin 5 (K5), cytokeratin 8 (K8), and bcl‐2. Cells with clonogenic capacity were identified by replating dissociated cells from primary colonies. RESULTS Only 2–4% of prostatic epithelial cells that were plated formed colonies. Most cells cultured for 2–4 days expressed bcl‐2, K5, and K8. After 6 days in culture, colonies had two distinct phenotypes, star‐ or disc‐shaped. In colonies of both phenotypes, only a few cells expressed K5 and bcl‐2, while all cells expressed K8. Upon replating, two‐thirds of star‐shaped colonies gave rise to a single colony; of 29 disc‐shaped colonies, none gave rise to new colonies. CONCLUSIONS Colonies deriving from putative prostatic epithelial stem cells are identified. These cells express K5 and bcl‐2 and are clonogenic. Prostate 50: 46–53, 2002. © 2002 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.