Cell lineage identification and stem cell culture in a porcine model for the study of intestinal epithelial regeneration

PLoS One. 2013 Jun 28;8(6):e66465. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066465. Print 2013.

Abstract

Significant advances in intestinal stem cell biology have been made in murine models; however, anatomical and physiological differences between mice and humans limit mice as a translational model for stem cell based research. The pig has been an effective translational model, and represents a candidate species to study intestinal epithelial stem cell (IESC) driven regeneration. The lack of validated reagents and epithelial culture methods is an obstacle to investigating IESC driven regeneration in a pig model. In this study, antibodies against Epithelial Adhesion Molecule 1 (EpCAM) and Villin marked cells of epithelial origin. Antibodies against Proliferative Cell Nuclear Antigen (PCNA), Minichromosome Maintenance Complex 2 (MCM2), Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) and phosphorylated Histone H3 (pH3) distinguished proliferating cells at various stages of the cell cycle. SOX9, localized to the stem/progenitor cells zone, while HOPX was restricted to the +4/'reserve' stem cell zone. Immunostaining also identified major differentiated lineages. Goblet cells were identified by Mucin 2 (MUC2); enteroendocrine cells by Chromogranin A (CGA), Gastrin and Somatostatin; and absorptive enterocytes by carbonic anhydrase II (CAII) and sucrase isomaltase (SIM). Transmission electron microscopy demonstrated morphologic and sub-cellular characteristics of stem cell and differentiated intestinal epithelial cell types. Quantitative PCR gene expression analysis enabled identification of stem/progenitor cells, post mitotic cell lineages, and important growth and differentiation pathways. Additionally, a method for long-term culture of porcine crypts was developed. Biomarker characterization and development of IESC culture in the porcine model represents a foundation for translational studies of IESC-driven regeneration of the intestinal epithelium in physiology and disease.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Culture Techniques
  • Cell Cycle
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology
  • Epithelial Cells / ultrastructure
  • Goblet Cells / physiology*
  • Goblet Cells / ultrastructure
  • Intestinal Mucosa / physiology
  • Intestinal Mucosa / ultrastructure
  • Regeneration*
  • Stem Cells / physiology*
  • Sus scrofa

Substances

  • Biomarkers