Introduction of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase Gene into Epidermal Stem Cells Derived from Human Skins

Telomerase extends the proliferation and prevent replicative senescence in most somatic cells. Whether it has similar function in human epidermal stem cells remains to be determined. In this study, the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) cytalytic subunit was introduced into epidermal stem cells derived from human fetal skins. The expression of hTERT mRNA, protein and telomerase activity in the transduced cells was observed by real time PCR (RT-PCR) techniques, western blot analysis and telomeric repeat amplification protocol enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (TRAP-ELISA) assay, respectively. The proliferation of the transduced cells was examined. The results showed the introduction of hTERT into the epidermal stem cells upregulated the expression of the hTERT gene and protein. And also the hTERT-transduced epidermal stem cells exhibited significantly elevated telomerase activity and proliferation. These works establish the base of further gene modification, monoclone screening and cell differentiation mechanism. The ability to maintain the biological characteristics and proliferation of epidermal stem cells could have important applications in wound healing and skin tissue engineering.