title: Isolation, culture and identification of epidermal stem cells  from newborn mouse skin.
abstract: In healthy individuals, skin integrity is maintained by epidermal stem cells which self-renew and generate daughter cells that undergo terminal differentiation. Epidermal stem cells represent a promising source of stem cells, and their culture has great potential in scientific research and clinical application. However, no single method has been universally adopted for identifying and isolating epidermal stem cells. Here, we reported the isolation and characterization of putative epidermal stem cells from newborn mouse skin. The keratinocytes were separated enzymatically. Putative epidermal stem cells were selected by rapid adherence on a composite matrix made of type I collagen and fibronectin. Unattached cells were discarded after 10 min, and the attached cells were cultured in a defined culture medium. The isolated cells showed the typical epidermal stem cell morphology. Immunofluorescence indicated that the cells were strongly stained for β1 integrin family of extracellular matrix receptors. In conclusion, mouse putative epidermal stem cells were successfully isolated from newborn mouse epidermis on the basis of high rapid adhesion to extracellular matrix proteins and cultured in vitro.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Faculty of Basic Sciences, University of Shahrekord, Shahrekord, Iran.
authors.forename: Somayeh
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reiisi
authors.forename: Fariba
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Esmaeili
authors.forename: Abolfazl
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shirazi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002469:Cell Separation / Q000379:methods*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000166:cytology; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*