title: Pre-stem cell formation by non-platelet RNA-containing particle fusion.
abstract: We found a group of non-platelet RNA-containing particles (NPRCP) in human umbilical cord blood. To understand the origin, characterization and differentiation of NPRCP, we examined cord blood-isolated NPRCP in vitro. The NPRCP range in size from < 1 to 5 μm, have a thin bilayer membrane and various morphological features, contain short RNA and microRNA and express octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4), sex-determining region Y 2 (SOX2) and DEAD box polypeptide 4 (DDX4). On coculture with nucleated cells from umbilical cord blood, NPRCP fuse to small, active, non-nucleated cells called 'particle fusion-derived non-nucleated cells' (PFDNC). The PFDNC are approximately 8 μm in diameter and are characterized by their twisting movement in culture plates. They can easily move into and out of nucleated cells and finally differentiate into mesenchymal-like cells. In addition, the larger non-nucleated cellular structures that are derived from the aggregation and fusion of multiple NPRCP can further differentiate into large stem cells that also release OCT4- and SOX2-positive non-nucleated small cells. Our data provide strong evidence that NPRCP can fuse into PFDNC, which further differentiate into mesenchymal-like cells. Multiple NPRCP also fuse into other types of large stem cells. We believe that stem cells are derived from NPRCP fusion. There is considerable potential for the use of NPRCP in clinical therapy.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Khasar Medical Technology Co., Beijing, China. wuyikong@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Wuyi
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Mu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nuo
authors.forename: Xiao Ping
authors.initials: XP
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xiu Juan
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Lihua
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Xian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
mesh_terms: D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases / Q000235:genetics; D005312:Fetal Blood / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics*; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3 / Q000235:genetics; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D014470:Umbilical Cord / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D050814:Octamer Transcription Factor-3; C494173:POU5F1 protein, human; C527782:SOX2 protein, human; D055748:SOXB1 Transcription Factors; C498288:DDX4 protein, human; D053487:DEAD-box RNA Helicases