Evidence for stem cells in cultures of mouse prostate epithelial cells.
BACKGROUND
Primary cultures of mouse prostatic epithelial cells were studied to identify cells having stem cell characteristics.


METHODS
Culture conditions supporting the growth of mouse prostatic epithelial cells were identified. Immunostaining identified cells expressing cytokeratin 5 (K5), cytokeratin 8 (K8), and bcl-2. Cells with clonogenic capacity were identified by replating dissociated cells from primary colonies.


RESULTS
Only 2-4% of prostatic epithelial cells that were plated formed colonies. Most cells cultured for 2-4 days expressed bcl-2, K5, and K8. After 6 days in culture, colonies had two distinct phenotypes, star- or disc-shaped. In colonies of both phenotypes, only a few cells expressed K5 and bcl-2, while all cells expressed K8. Upon replating, two-thirds of star-shaped colonies gave rise to a single colony; of 29 disc-shaped colonies, none gave rise to new colonies.


CONCLUSIONS
Colonies deriving from putative prostatic epithelial stem cells are identified. These cells express K5 and bcl-2 and are clonogenic.
Sawicki
Janet A
JA
Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, Pennsylvania 19096-3425, USA. sawickij@mlhs.org
Rothman
Craig J
CJ
D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002455:Cell Division; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D007633:Keratins / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D011467:Prostate / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology* / Q000378:metabolism
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D007633:Keratins