The muscle-specific marker desmin is expressed in a proportion of human dermal fibroblasts after their exposure to galectin-1.
We have previously shown that galectin-1 is a factor capable of converting mouse dermal fibroblasts to the myogenic lineage [Cell Transplant 2000;9:519]. Here, we report that human dermal fibroblasts are also capable of expressing the myogenic marker, desmin, when grown in muscle-cell-conditioned media. Furthermore, the human foetal skin cells also express this marker when grown in the presence of galectin-1. These results highlight the importance of galectin-1 in the conversion of both human and murine skin cells to a myogenic lineage. Thus galectin-1 could be an important tool for use in autologous cell therapies for the treatment of human muscular dystrophies.
Goldring
K
K
Department of Neuromuscular Diseases, Division of Neuroscience and Psychological Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College School of Science, Technology and Medicine, Charing Cross Campus, St. Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP, UK.
Jones
G E
GE
Sewry
C A
CA
Watt
D J
DJ
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003893:Desmin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005333:Fetus; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D037483:Galectin 1; D005865:Gestational Age; D006388:Hemagglutinins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*
D000276:Adjuvants, Immunologic; D015415:Biomarkers; D017077:Culture Media, Conditioned; D003893:Desmin; D037483:Galectin 1; D006388:Hemagglutinins