Epidermal stem cells: practical perspectives and potential uses

Abstract

Throughout adult life, the epidermis and the hair follicle undergo a perpetual cycle of growth, regression and rest. Stem cells in the epidermis not only ensure the maintenance of epidermal homeostasis and hair regeneration, but also contribute to repair of the epidermis after injury. These stem cells lie within specific niches in the hair follicle and the epidermis. The availability of monoclonal antibodies that can be used on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue has greatly facilitated the use of this methodology as an adjunct to uncovering stem cell niches. In this review, we attempt to provide an overview of the potential markers available to identify and study stem cells in an effort to providing a better understanding of the pathogenesis of skin diseases including disorders of hair loss and malignancies. The potential uses of these markers in prognosis and in expanding the therapeutic options in several disorders will also be addressed.

Generation of Human Melanocytes from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells

“…Immune-positive cells for the neural crest markers, p75, HNK-1, and AP2a, were observed in migrating cells from EBs one week after differentiation ( Figure 4C). The immune-positive cells for a neural crest cell marker, SOX10, [21] and a possible adult melanocyte stem cell marker, PAX3 [22,23], were also observed in the EBs-derived cells cultured in melanocyte differentiation medium for a week, indicating that the iPS-derived melanocytes may be derived through neural crest cells and melanocyte stem cells as is the case for in vivo melanocyte development ( Figure 4D). …”

Stem Cell Characterization

“…There is evidence of ESCs in the bulge region of the hair follicles (Myung et al, 2009a(Myung et al, , 2009bZhang et al, 2009), as well as in the interfollicular epidermis (Abbas & Mahalingam, 2009;Ambler & Maatta, 2009). When the epidermis undergoes severe damage, it may fully regenerate from the ESCs of the bulge (Watt, 2006).…”

Facing towards epidermal stem cells (Review)

“…They may differentiate themselves, and transform into more than one single type of cell with defined functions (1). Therefore, the main SC characteristics are (a) pluri-or multipotency (the ability to differentiate into different cell types), (b) plasticity (the ability to generate tissue types other than the tissue of origin), (c) quiescence (low rate of cell renewal), and (d) high proliferative potential (boosted division rate when exposed to appropriate stimuli) (2,3).…”

“…There is evidence of ESCs in the bulge region of the hair follicles (18)(19)(20), as well as in the interfollicular epidermis (1,21). When the epidermis suffers severe damage, it may completely regenerate from the ESCs of the bulge (15).…”