Isolation and Characterization of Multipotent Skin‐Derived Precursors from Human Skin

We have previously isolated, expanded, and characterized a multipotent precursor cell from mammalian dermis (termed skin-derived precursors [SKPs]) that can differentiate into both neural and mesodermal progeny. In this study, we report the isolation, expansion, and characterization of a similar precursor cell from neonatal human foreskin tissue. Like their rodent counterparts, human SKPs grew in suspension as spheres in the presence of the mitogens fibroblast growth factor 2 and epidermal growth factor and expressed nestin, fibronectin, vimentin, and characteristic embryonic transcription factors. Human SKPs could be maintained in culture for long periods of time and would still differentiate into neurons,…

• HA
  Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada
• SC
  Stem Cell Network
• HF
  Hospital for Sick Children
• CI
  Canadian Institutes of Health Research