New 3D clonal growth assay for stem/progenitor cells of the mouse trachea and human airway epithelium

An “Open Access” paper in PNAS represents the culmination of collaborative efforts by researchers from both Duke and UNC Chapel Hill to identify stem/progenitor cells in the pseudostratified epithelium of the mouse and human respiratory system. A highlight of the paper is the new three-dimensional assay worked out by postdoctoral fellow, Jason Rock, in the Hogan lab. This shows that a single basal cell isolated by flow cytometry can be grown in a 3D extracellular matrix without any stromal cells. A small proportion of the basal cells both self renew and give rise to luminal cells; these go on to differentiate into both ciliated cells and, in recent experiments not included in the paper, secretory cells. This assay opens up many exciting possibilities for studying the cellular behavior of basal progenitor cells and the effect of cytokines and signaling factors on their self renewal, division plane, fate choice and differentiation.

Rock et al, Basal cells as stem cells of the mouse trachea and human airway epithelium, PNAS Online early edition July 22nd 2009.

Brigid Hogan, Ph.D., FRS
Professor and Chair of Cell Biology