Epidermal Stem Cell Fate: What Can We Learn from Embryonic Stem Cells?

September 2007 in “ Cell & tissue research/Cell and tissue research ”

Daniel Aberdam

epidermal stem cells embryonic stem cells BMP-4 p63 ectodermal progenitors skin graft cell therapy stem cell multipotency immune response

Studysummary This study suggests that human embryonic stem cells may improve skin graft quality and functionality by enabling the identification and amplification of early ectodermal progenitors, pending confirmation from preclinical studies.

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The review discussed the potential of human embryonic stem cells (ES cells) to enhance the understanding and treatment of epidermal stem cell (ESC) biology. It highlighted the ability of ES cells to differentiate into various epidermal cell types under specific conditions, emphasizing the roles of BMP-4 and p63 in epidermal commitment and stratification. The findings suggested that ES cells could generate early ectodermal progenitors, potentially improving skin graft quality and functionality. The document concluded that both adult and embryonic stem cells were valuable for advancing cell therapy and understanding stem cell multipotency, despite challenges like immune response to ESC transplantation.

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Research cited in this study

4 / 4 results

research Scratching the Surface of Skin Development

788 citations , February 2007 in “Nature”

This review explores how adult skin epithelia preserve stem cell populations for hair follicle regeneration and wound healing, but reports no new experimental results.

research Expression of ΔNLef1 in Mouse Epidermis Results in Differentiation of Hair Follicles into Squamous Epidermal Cysts and Formation of Skin Tumors

297 citations , January 2002 in “Development”

In this study, repressing β-catenin/Lef1 signalling in mouse epidermis led to progressive hair loss, dermal cysts, and spontaneous skin tumors with sebaceous differentiation, indicating altered keratinocyte differentiation and potential tumourigenic processes.

research Deregulated Expression of c-Myc Depletes Epidermal Stem Cells

315 citations , June 2001 in “Nature Genetics”

research C-Myc Activation in Transgenic Mouse Epidermis Results in Mobilization of Stem Cells and Differentiation of Their Progeny

338 citations , April 2001 in “Current Biology”

This study found that transient activation of c-Myc in transgenic mice stimulates keratinocyte proliferation and sebocyte differentiation, affecting normal epidermal and hair follicle development.