The role of alpha-smooth muscle actin in myogenic differentiation of human glandular stem cells and their potential for smooth muscle cell replacement therapies.
BACKGROUND
Cellular replacement therapies in vascular and urogenital organ disorders require an abundant source of smooth muscle cells. A promising approach would be the directed myogenic differentiation (characterized by the expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA)) into a sufficient amount of smooth muscle cells through easily obtainable adult stem cells, for example from the sweat gland.


METHODS
We present novel multipotent adult stem cell populations derived from glandular tissues like pancreas, salivary gland and sweat gland and assess their myogenic potential. Their possible application in cell replacement therapies is discussed, with regard to numerous scaffold-based approaches in the course of the last decade.


RESULTS
Multipotent glandular stem cells can be manipulated by different means to express a predominant smooth muscle-like phenotype. Possible promising applications of myogenic differentiated stem cells were evaluated, since several studies revealed the beneficial effect of somatic stem cells in replacement therapies for blood vessels, bladder reconstructions, etc.


CONCLUSIONS
Glandular stem cells, especially sweat-gland-derived cells, provide an easily accessible and efficient source for autologous smooth muscle tissue, which might be used to replace vascular tissue in case of organ failure or disorder.
Petschnik
Anna Emilia
AE
Fraunhofer Research Institution for Marine Biotechnology, MGZ, Paul-Ehrlich-Str 1-3, 23562 Lübeck, Germany. sandra.danner@emb.fraunhofer.de
Fell
Benjamin
B
Kruse
Charli
C
Danner
Sandra
S
D000199:Actins / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D005088:Exocrine Glands / Q000254:growth & development / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
C541116:ACTA2 protein, human; D000199:Actins