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Title: CAPABILITIES OF STEM CELLS FROM THE LEPIDOPTERAN MIDGUT

Author
item HAKIM, R - HOWARD UNIV. WASH. DC
item Loeb, Marcia

Submitted to: In Vitro Cellular And Developmental Biology
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/30/2001
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The growth of the larval lepidopteran midgut results from the proliferation and subsequent differentiation of a stem cell population that resides among the bases of the mature columnar and goblet cell types. In this location these cells are exposed to growth and developmental factors. While the timing of application of these factors is currently unknown,the major accumulation of stem cells occurs rapidly just prior to the molt. The subsequent differentiation of these cells within the molt period results in growth of the midgut. In vitro,stem cells collected immediately prior to the molt respond to two differentiation factors have been identified and synthesized. In vitro, a role for stem cells in opposing the effects of BT damage to midgut cells has recently been demonstrated. It is not currently clear whether the capabilities of the stem cells taken early in an instar are identical to those taken immediately prior to the molt. These stem cells excised early in an instar and grown in vitro do, however, proliferate and differentiate in standard growth and differentiation media used with stem cells taken at the end of an instar. The proliferation characteristics of the stem cells taken from staged insects within an instar are currently being compared. The analysis of stem cell activity in vivo and in vitro is providing an overview of the capabilities of these stem cells in the midgut.