Calcium Regulation of Stem Cells

The review by Hans-Willem Snoeck from May 17, 2020, emphasizes the importance of calcium signaling in stem cell regulation, including its roles in cellular functions, metabolic and epigenetic regulation, and the complex mechanisms of calcium signaling and regulation. It specifically addresses the role of calcium in hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and epidermal stem cells, noting that low intracellular calcium levels are crucial for HSC maintenance and self-renewal, with studies showing a 20-fold improvement in HSC maintenance over two weeks in low calcium conditions. The calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) is also highlighted for its role in HSC homing to the bone marrow. Additionally, a calcium gradient in the skin is important for epidermal stem cell function and skin homeostasis. The review underscores the need for further research into calcium regulation in stem cell microenvironments and its impact on stem cell function.