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Isolation of multipotent adult stem cells from the dermis of mammalian skin

Nature Cell Biology volume 3, pages 778–784 (2001)Cite this article

Abstract

We describe here the isolation of stem cells from juvenile and adult rodent skin. These cells derive from the dermis, and clones of individual cells can proliferate and differentiate in culture to produce neurons, glia, smooth muscle cells and adipocytes. Similar precursors that produce neuron-specific proteins upon differentiation can be isolated from adult human scalp. Because these cells (termed SKPs for skin-derived precursors) generate both neural and mesodermal progeny, we propose that they represent a novel multipotent adult stem cell and suggest that skin may provide an accessible, autologous source of stem cells for transplantation.

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Figure 1: SKPs are dividing, nestin-positive cells that can differentiate into neurons.
Figure 2: SKPS can generate glial cells.
Figure 3: Production of nestin and fibronectin by SKPs.
Figure 4: SKPs can differentiate into smooth muscle cells and adipocytes.
Figure 5: Clonal analysis indicates that individual SKPs can give rise to neural and mesodermal cell types.
Figure 6: Isolation and differentiation of SKPs from human skin.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank Y. Wang-Ninio, A. Aumont and M. Fortier for their advice and assistance during the course of this project. F.D.M. is a CIHR Senior Scientist and Killam Scholar, D.R.K. a Harold Johns NCIC Scholar, and K.J.L.F. and F.B.-H. are supported by a CIHR/Neurotrauma fellowship and an NSERC studentship, respectively. This work was supported by a research contract from Aegera Therapeutics and research grants from the CIHR.

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Author notes

  1. Mahnaz Akhavan and Karl J. L. Fernandes: These authors contributed equally to this work

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for Neuronal Survival, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 rue University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Quebec, Canada

    Jean G. Toma, Mahnaz Akhavan, Karl J. L. Fernandes, Fanie Barnabé-Heider, David R. Kaplan & Freda D. Miller

  2. Brain Tumor Research Center, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 rue University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Quebec, Canada

    Karl J. L. Fernandes & David R. Kaplan

  3. Division of Neurosurgery, Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, 3801 rue University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Quebec, Canada

    Abbas Sadikot

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Correspondence to Freda D. Miller.

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Toma, J., Akhavan, M., Fernandes, K. et al. Isolation of multipotent adult stem cells from the dermis of mammalian skin. Nat Cell Biol 3, 778–784 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb0901-778

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