Epithelial Fibronectin Meshwork Controls Skin Regeneration

The study investigates the role of fibronectin (FN) in epidermal regeneration, specifically within hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). It reveals that FN is crucial for hair follicle regeneration, forming a meshwork that supports stem cell location and fate. Conditional deletion of FN in HFSC compartments results in impaired hair regeneration, which can be rescued by dermal injection of exogenous FN. The research identifies integrin-dependent mechanotransduction, involving YAP/Taz, as a key mechanism through which FN influences hair follicle regeneration. This highlights the importance of the fibronectin-integrin-mechanotransduction pathway in regulating adult stem cell fate and tissue regeneration.