PW1 gene/paternally expressed gene 3 (PW1/Peg3) identifies multiple adult stem and progenitor cell populations

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Jul 12;108(28):11470-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1103873108. Epub 2011 Jun 27.

Abstract

A variety of markers are invaluable for identifying and purifying stem/progenitor cells. Here we report the generation of a murine reporter line driven by Pw1 that reveals cycling and quiescent progenitor/stem cells in all adult tissues thus far examined, including the intestine, blood, testis, central nervous system, bone, skeletal muscle, and skin. Neurospheres generated from the adult PW1-reporter mouse show near 100% reporter-gene expression following a single passage. Furthermore, epidermal stem cells can be purified solely on the basis of reporter-gene expression. These cells are clonogenic, repopulate the epidermal stem-cell niches, and give rise to new hair follicles. Finally, we demonstrate that only PW1 reporter-expressing epidermal cells give rise to follicles that are capable of self-renewal following injury. Our data demonstrate that PW1 serves as an invaluable marker for competent self-renewing stem cells in a wide array of adult tissues, and the PW1-reporter mouse serves as a tool for rapid stem cell isolation and characterization.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Adult Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage / genetics
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Embryonic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Epidermis / metabolism
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Genetic Markers
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / cytology
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / genetics*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Pregnancy

Substances

  • Genetic Markers
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Peg3 protein, mouse