Epithelial Skin Biology: Stem Cells and Epidermal Homeostasis

January 2016 in “ Current Topics in Developmental Biology ”

Elaine Fuchs

epidermis stem cells hair regeneration wound repair skin cancer terminal differentiation extracellular matrix hair follicle stem cells signaling pathways stem cell niche epigenetic mechanisms

Studysummary This essay discusses the establishment, maintenance, and role of skin stem cells in tissue homeostasis, wound repair, and their relation to skin cancer, without reporting new experimental findings. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The document from 2016 provides a comprehensive review of research on mammalian skin epidermis, particularly focusing on the role of stem cells in epidermal homeostasis, hair regeneration, and wound repair. It discusses the establishment and function of stem cells in skin development and adult tissue maintenance, as well as their response to injury. The document also explores the relationship between skin cancer and stem cell regulation, the process of terminal differentiation in the epidermis, and the importance of the extracellular matrix for epidermal stem cells. It highlights the genetic basis of glandular development, the cyclical regeneration of hair follicle stem cells, and the plasticity and regenerative capabilities of epithelial stem cells. The research emphasizes the complexity of signaling pathways, the influence of the stem cell niche, and the role of epigenetic mechanisms in governing cell identity. Despite progress in understanding skin biology, the document notes that many interactions between stem cells and their microenvironment remain unexplored, and new technologies are expected to advance future research.

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