Isolation and In Vitro Characterization of Basal and Submucosal Gland Duct Stem/Progenitor Cells from Human Proximal Airways

摘要: Basal cells and submucosal gland (SMG) duct have been isolated shown to be stem/progenitor cell populations for the murine airway epithelium. However, methods isolation of basal SMG from human airways not defined. We used an optimized two-step enzyme digestion protocol strip surface epithelium tracheal specimens separate cells, we then sorted stem/progenitors using fluorescence-activated sorting. nerve growth factor receptor, as well a combination CD166 CD44, sort also isolate cells. Sorted were cultured characterize their self-renewal differentiation ability. Both grew into spheres. Immunostaining spheres showed mostly dense with little no central lumen. The expressed cytokeratins 5 14, some mucus- serous-secreting sphere-forming efficiency rate varied widely between patient samples correlated degree hyperplasia found that only aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH)(hi) capable sphere formation. Global inhibition ALDH, specific ALDH2 isoform, inhibited both thereby producing fewer smaller In conclusion, developed SMGs tracheas in vitro model differentiation.