N-Cadherin is expressed by putative stem/progenitor cells and melanocytes in the human limbal epithelial stem cell niche.
Corneal epithelial stem cells are known to be localized to the basal layer of the limbal epithelium, providing a model system for epithelial stem cell biology; however, the mechanisms regarding the maintenance of these stem cells in their specialized niche remain poorly understood. N-cadherin is a member of the classic cadherin family and has previously been demonstrated to be expressed by hematopoietic stem cells. In the present study, we demonstrate that N-cadherin is expressed by putative stem/progenitor cells, as well as melanocytes, in the human limbal epithelial stem cell niche. In addition, we demonstrate that upon in vitro culture using 3T3 feeder layers, loss of N-cadherin expression occurs with cell proliferation. These results indicate that N-cadherin may be a critical cell-to-cell adhesion molecule between corneal epithelial stem/progenitor cells and their corresponding niche cells in the limbal epithelium.
Hayashi
Ryuhei
R
Department of Ophthalmology, Tohoku University School of Medicine, 1-1 Seiryomachi, Aoba-ku, Sendai 980-8574, Japan.
Yamato
Masayuki
M
Sugiyama
Hiroaki
H
Sumide
Taizo
T
Yang
Joseph
J
Okano
Teruo
T
Tano
Yasuo
Y
Nishida
Kohji
K
D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D003114:Colony-Forming Units Assay; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D016850:Limbus Corneae / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D008954:Models, Biological; D041681:NIH 3T3 Cells; D021381:Protein Transport; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*
D015415:Biomarkers; D015820:Cadherins; D012333:RNA, Messenger