Journal of Stem Cell Research & Therapy

Modeling aging and type-2 diabetes with precursors derived from skin

Joint Event on 2^nd Annual Summit on Stem Cell Research, Cell & Gene Therapy & Cell Therapy, Tissue Science and Regenerative Medicine & 12^th International Conference & Exhibition on Tissue Preservation, Life care and Biobanking

November 09-10, 2018 | Atlanta, USA

Sarah K Steinbach

Brevitas Consulting, Canada

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Stem Cell Res Ther

Abstract:

Objective: Few methods enable molecular and cellular studies of vascular aging or type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we report a new approach to studying human vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) pathophysiology by examining VSMCs differentiated from progenitors found in the skin.

Approach and results: Skin-derived precursors (SKPs) were cultured from biopsies (N=164, ???1 cm2) taken from the edges of surgical incisions of older adults (N=158; males 72%; mean age 62.7�13 years) undergoing cardiothoracic surgery, and differentiated into VSMCs at high efficiency (>80% yield). The number of SKPs isolated from subjects with T2D was ???50% lower than those without T2D (cells/g:0.18�0.03, N=58 versus 0.40�0.05, N=100, P<0.05). Importantly, SKP-derived VSMCs from subjects with T2D had higher Fluo-5F-determined baseline cytosolic Ca2+ concentrations (AU: 1,968�160, N=7 versus 1,386�170, N=13, P<0.05), and a trend toward greater Ca2+ cycling responses to norepinephrine (NE) (AUC: 177,207�24,669, N=7 versus 101,537�15,881, N=20, P<0.08) despite a reduced frequency of Ca2+ cycling (events s???1 cell???1: 0.011�0.004, N=8 versus 0.021�0.003, N=19, P<0.05) than those without T2D. SKP-derived VSMCs from subjects with T2D also manifest enhanced sensitivity to phenylephrine (PE) in an impedance-based assay (EC50 nM: 72.3�63.6, N=5 versus 3,684�3,122, N=9, P<0.05), and impaired wound closure in vitro (% closure: 21.9�3.6, N=4 versus 67.0�10.3, N=4, P<0.05). Compared with aortic- and saphenous vein-derived primary VSMCs, SKP-derived VSMCs are functionally distinct, but mirror defects of T2D also exhibited by primary VSMCs.

Conclusion: Skin biopsies from older adults yield sufficient SKPs to differentiate VSMCs, which reveal abnormal phenotypes of T2D that survive differentiation and persist even after long-term normoglycemic culture.

Biography :

Sarah K Steinbach completed her PhD in 2008 from the University of Saskatchewan. Before that, she completed her undergraduate degree with a specialist in Human Biology and Major in Microbiology at the University of Toronto. She is currently working as a scientist for a top 5 pharmaceutical company. She has published 9 articles in high impact peer-reviewed journals and has presented over 39 abstracts in national and international conferences.

E-mail: sarah.k.steinbach@gmail.com