Adult stem cells and cancer stem cells derived from different tissues can express the same, so-called “stemness” surface markers. I was always curious about “cross tissues” comparison analysis for expression of such markers. I was very happy to see the report, comparing phenotypes of tissue-derived stem cells from diverse origin based on published data. The study published in Cytometry part A and currently available in open access.
Attila Tárnok group initially published their analysis in 2008. Now they are extended their tissue panel and list of markers and update the data in new report.
Besides by their typical tissue-specific localization, stem cell lineages are frequently identified by expression of specific stemness marker proteins and other stem-cell specific epitopes, which are not expressed by somatic cells. However, because of overlapping expression patterns between stem cell lineages, a stem cell can often not be classified by detection of a single marker protein. The increased commercial availability of monoclonal antibodies coupled to fluorochromes with excitation wavelengths proximal to multiple laser lines of a state-of-the-art flow cytometer provides the bases for multi-parameter analysis of over 6–8 markers at the same time. Subsequently, multi-color detection by flow cytometry has been turned into an ideal tool for the identification and purification of stem cells with overlapping patterns of phenotypic markers.
On the basis of these new data, we updated our previous phenotypic table by a set of seven new cell types isolated from additional organs and include a set of additional markers not present in the earlier overview. Therefore, we asked all authors to revisit the table and upgrade their part either by own data or based on additional literature, as necessary.
I think it’s very good and important summary. I’d like to encourage you to read the report.
In summary, a careful evaluation of natural phenotypic variations within stem cell lineages and optimization of isolation, culture conditions and flow cytometric analysis needs to be performed, thereby avoiding the measurements of artifacts due to experimental conditions and misinterpretation of these data. The paradigm that so named neural genes are only expressed in cells of neuroectodermal origin with destination to differentiate into a neuron-specific phenotype also seems not be anymore valid, because such genes are also expressed by stem cells originating from a different germ layer, which naturally do not participate in neurogenesis. Variations of marker expression in the same stem cell lineage obtained from various tissues may indicate differences in their pluripotency. It is also possible that stem cell marker expression pattern and levels depend on respective cell cycle phases.
Related posts:
- How to assess breast cancer stem cells
- Lab-specific gene expression signatures in pluripotent stem cells
- Criteria for separating stem sells by flow cytometry from solid tissues
- Criteria for defining phenomenon of bone marrow stem cells plasticity (transdifferentiation)
- Trends in cancer stem cells – identification, markers and assays. Notes from AACR 2010
