Abstract
Adult mammalian craniofacial tissues contain limited numbers of post-migratory neural crest-derived stem cells. Similar to their embryonic counterparts, these adult multipotent stem cells can undergo multi-lineage differentiation and are capable of contributing to regeneration of mesodermal and ectodermal cells and tissues in vivo. In the present study, we describe for the first time the presence of Nestin-positive neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs) within the ovine hard palate. We show that these cells can be isolated from the palatal tissue and are able to form neurospheres. Ovine NCSCs express the typical neural crest markers Slug and Twist, exhibit high proliferative and migratory activity and are able to differentiate into α smooth muscle cells and β-III-tubulin expressing ectodermal cells. Finally, we demonstrate that oNCSCs are capable of differentiating into osteogenic, adipogenic and chondrogenic cells. Taken together, our results suggest that oNCSCs could be used as model cells to assess the efficacy and safety of autologous NCSC transplantation in a large animal model.
Highlights
Emerging evidence suggests that adult craniofacial tissues in vertebrates contain limited numbers of post-migratory neural crest-derived stem cells (NCSCs)
RT-PCR revealed that ovine NCSCs (oNCSCs) isolated from three animals express Slug, Twist, and Nestin (Figure 2D)
We were able to show for the first time that similar to rodent and human palate, the ovine palatal lamina propria contains NCSCs
Summary
Emerging evidence suggests that adult craniofacial tissues in vertebrates contain limited numbers of post-migratory NCSCs (reviewed in Kaltschmidt et al, 2012). Adult multipotent NCSCs possess high levels of cellular plasticity which is only surpassed by pluripotent stem cells including embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. NCSCs have been shown to differentiate efficiently into ectodermal and mesodermal progeny including neuronal, glial, osteogenic, adipogenic, and chondrogenic cells, as well as melanocytes and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We have shown that multipotent Nestin-expressing NCSCs are present within the rat, mouse, and human palate (Widera et al, 2009; Martin et al, 2012). Being a highly regenerative tissue (Kahnberg and Thilander, 1982, 1984, 1987), the mammalian palatal tissue contains several other cell types harboring progenitor cell and stem cell properties
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