Work

Localization of Label-Retaining Cells in Murine Vocal Fold Epithelium

Year: 2011

Type: article

Abstract: PURPOSE: Epithelial homeostasis is critical for vocal fold health, yet little is known about the cells that support epithelial self-renewal. As a known characteristic of stem cells is that they are slow-cycling in vivo, the purpose of this prospective controlled study was to identify and quantify slow-cycling cells or putative stem cells in murine vocal fold epithelium. METHOD: Twelve mice were administered daily intraperitoneal injections of a nucleotide dye, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), over 7 consecutive days. Under this pulse-chase paradigm, slow-cycling cells retain the dye (label-retaining cells; LRCs) while more rapidly cycling cells lose dye to dilution during multiple cell divisions. The percentage of label-retaining cells (%LRCs) was calculated following a chase period of 2, 4, and 8 weeks postinjections. RESULTS: The %LRCs decreased significantly from 9.4% at 2 weeks to 3.1% at 8 weeks following injections (p < .05). No statistically significant differences in the quantity of BrdU-positive cells were measured between the anterior, mid-membranous, or cartilaginous regions of the vocal fold (p > .05). CONCLUSION: These findings are consistent with the presence and first report of a small population of putative stem cells along the length of murine vocal fold epithelium.

Source: Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research

DOI: 10.1044/1092-4388(2010/10-0267)

Authors: Ciara Leydon, Rebecca S. Bartlett, Drew A. Roenneburg, Susan L. Thibeault

Institutions: Brooklyn College, University of Wisconsin–Madison

Language: English

Topic: Voice and Speech Disorders

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders