Abstract 5020: Characterization of Epidermal Stem Cells in SKH1 Hairless Mice, a Widely Used Mouse Model to Investigate Ultraviolet Radiation Carcinogenesis
April 2013
in “
Cancer Research
”
TLDR SKH1 hairless mice have identifiable epidermal stem cells with specific markers.
The study characterized epidermal stem cells in SKH1 hairless mice, a model for UV-induced carcinogenesis, by identifying stem cell populations using markers such as CD34, α6-integrin, Keratin-15, Gli1, and Sox9. CD34 was uniquely expressed in the hair follicle bulge region, and CD34+/α6-integrin+ cells were isolated using FACS. These cells exhibited stem cell properties, including slow cycling and high proliferative capacity. The analysis confirmed the presence of 0.23% CD34+ and 1.05% CD34+/α6-integrin+ cells in SKH1 mouse skin, supporting the model's relevance for studying skin stem cells despite the hairless phenotype.