Roles of Bcl-2 and Bcl-Xl in Stem Cell Death
Author Information
Author(s): Oliver Lisa, Hue Erika, Rossignol Julien, Bougras Gwenola, Hulin Philippe, Naveilhan Philippe, Heymann Dominique, Lescaudron Laurent, Vallette François M.
Primary Institution: INSERM, UMR 892, Équipe Labellisée «Ligue contre le Cancer», Nantes, France
Hypothesis
How do Bcl-2 and Bcl-Xl influence apoptosis in human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells during differentiation?
Conclusion
Undifferentiated human mesenchymal stem cells are resistant to apoptosis, but this resistance decreases as they begin to differentiate.
Supporting Evidence
- Undifferentiated hMSCs did not undergo apoptosis in response to various inducers.
- Bcl-Xl is expressed in both undifferentiated and differentiated hMSCs, while Bcl-2 is only present in differentiated cells.
- The down-regulation of Bcl-Xl in undifferentiated hMSCs increases their sensitivity to apoptosis.
Takeaway
This study found that stem cells can survive without dying, but when they start to change into other types of cells, they become more likely to die.
Methodology
The study involved isolating bone marrow cells from healthy donors and analyzing their response to various apoptosis inducers through cell culture and microscopy.
Limitations
The study was conducted on short-term cultures of hMSCs, which may not fully represent physiological conditions.
Participant Demographics
14 bone marrow samples from healthy donors, average age 41 years, 6 males and 8 females.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
Want to read the original?
Access the complete publication on the publisher's website