Prom1 expression does not mark a stem/progenitor population in the mouse oviduct epithelium

Abstract

The oviduct or fallopian tube is the site of fertilization and preimplantation embryonic development. The epithelium lining the oviduct consists of multiciliated and secretory cells, which support fertilization and preimplantation development, however, its homeostasis still remains poorly understood. CD133/Prom1 has been used to identify adult stem cell populations in various organs and often associated with cancer stem cell property. Using a Cre-recombinase based lineage tracing strategy, we found that CD133/Prom1 expression was not associated with a stem/progenitor population in the oviduct but marked a sub population of multiciliated and secretory cells which did not propagate. Interestingly, Prom1 expressing secretory cells rapidly transition to multiciliated cells and progressively migrate to the tips of epithelial folds in the ampulla. Our results show that CD133/Prom1 expression cannot be used as a progenitor/stem cell marker in the mouse oviduct.