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Inactivation of p16 INK4a (inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinase 4A) immortalizes primary human keratinocytes by maintaining cells in the stem cell compartment
Author(s) -
Maurelli Riccardo,
Zambruno Giovanna,
Guerra Liliana,
Abbruzzese Claudia,
Dimri Goberdhan,
Gellini Mara,
Bondanza Sergio,
Dellambra Elena
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fj.05-4480fje
Subject(s) - keratinocyte , biology , stem cell , somatic evolution in cancer , senescence , microbiology and biotechnology , clonogenic assay , clone (java method) , telomerase , cyclin , cancer research , cyclin dependent kinase , cell cycle , cell culture , cell , genetics , cancer , dna , gene
Replicative senescence of human keratinocytes is determined by a progressive decline of clonogenic and dividing cells, and its timing is controlled by clonal evolution (i.e., the transition from stem cells to transient amplifying and postmitotic cells). Progressive increase of p16 INK4a (inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinase 4A) expression has been shown to correlate with keratinocyte clonal evolution. Thus, the aim of our study is to understand whether p16 INK4a accumulation is a triggering mechanism of epidermal clonal evolution or a secondary event. We show that inactivation of p16 INK4a , by an antisense strategy, allows primary human keratinocytes to escape replicative senescence. Specifically, p16 INK4a inactivation alone blocks clonal evolution and maintains keratinocytes in the stem cell compartment. Antisense excision is followed by keratinocyte senescence, confirming that persistent p16 INK4a inactivation is required for maintenance of clonal evolution block. Immortalization is accompanied by resumption of B‐Cell Specific Moloney murine leukemia virus site 1 (Bmi‐1) expression and telomerase activity, hallmarks of tissue regenerative capacity. In turn, Bmi‐1 expression is necessary to maintain the impairment of clonal evolution induced by p16 INK4a inactivation. Finally, p16 INK4a down‐regulation in transient amplifying keratinocytes does not affect clonal evolution, and cells undergo senescence. Thus, p16 INK4a inactivation appears to selectively prevent clonal conversion in cells endowed with a high proliferative potential. These data indicate that p16 INK4a regulates keratinocyte clonal evolution and that inactivation of p16 INK4a in epidermal stem cells is necessary for maintaining sternness.—Maurelli, R., Zambruno, G., Guerra, L., Abbruzzese, C., Dimri, G., Gellini, M., Bondanza, S., Dellambra, E. Inactivation of p16 INK4a (inhibitor of cyclin‐dependent kinase 4A) immortalizes primary human keratinocytes by maintaining cells in the stem cell compartment. FASEB J. 20, E742–E756 (2006)