Fallopian Tube Basal Stem Cells Reproducing the Epithelial Sheets In Vitro-Stem Cell of Fallopian Epithelium.

Maobi Zhu,Sen Takeda,Tomohiko Iwano

doi:10.3390/biom10091270

Abstract

The fallopian tube (FT) is an important reproductive organ in females. The luminal epithelium of the FT is composed of highly polarized secretory and ciliated cells. Recently, accumulating lines of evidence have suggested that the origin of high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is fallopian tube epithelial cells (FTECs). Due to the lack of a high-fidelity model for FTECs in vitro, homeostasis, differentiation, as well as the transformation of FTECs are still enigmatic. In this study, we optimized the culture condition for the stable expansion of basal stem cells, as well as inducing differentiation of basal cells into polarized secretory and ciliated cells in the air–liquid interface (ALI) condition suitable for long-term culture. This storable culture method of FTECs provides a versatile platform for studying differentiation mechanisms, intercellular communication, and transformation to HGSC, as well as the physiological function of the FT in vitro.

Highlights

The fallopian tube (FT) is composed of three layers, and the innermost mucosa is a simple columnar epithelium consisting of basal, ciliated, and secretory cells [1]
Previous studies indicated that the distal end of the FT had a higher proliferation rate and self-renewal ability, with basal stem cells enriched in this region [8]. p73 is expressed in progenitor and ciliated cells and was shown to be necessary for ciliogenesis [28,29,30]
Consistent with previous studies, a high proportion of Ki67-positive cells were found in both the fimbria and ampulla, and the staining pattern suggested that the distal end of the FT was the source of stem cells (Figure 1A). p73 was expressed in progenitor cells and multi-ciliated cells (MCCs) (Figure 1B)

Summary

Introduction

The fallopian tube (FT) is composed of three layers, and the innermost mucosa is a simple columnar epithelium consisting of basal, ciliated, and secretory cells [1]. The ciliated cells can facilitate the transport of gametes and mucus secreted by mucosal epithelium [2,3]. Accumulating evidence shows that high-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) originates from epithelial cells lining the distal fallopian tube [4,5,6,7,8,9]. HGSC is the most common and aggressive subtype among ovarian carcinoma. The origin and molecular pathogenesis of HGSC remains unclear. HGSC is often characterized by the loss of ciliated cells concurrent with the expansion of proliferative secretory cells [10,11]. Because of the lack of a high-fidelity model for in vitro FTEC culture, the mechanisms involved in the homeostasis, differentiation, and transformation of FTEC remain enigmatic

Methods

Results

Conclusion