Gatekeeping the Sebaceous Gland
August 2023
in “
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
”
TLDR The research found that specific stem cells maintain skin gland openings and that disrupting their activity can cause blockages or early cancer signs, indicating a need for targeted treatments.
The study "Gate keeping the sebaceous gland" identifies a previously overlooked part of the skin, the follicular epidermis (FE), located at the junction of the sebaceous gland and the epidermis. The FE contains unique Axin2+ stem cells, which are crucial for maintaining the FE. The study found that when Wnt secretion (a type of protein) from these cells is halted, it leads to FE obstruction due to excessive cell growth and inhibited differentiation. This suggests that Axin2+ cells are Wnt producers that maintain the FE's openness. The study also found that continuous Wnt signaling from Axin2+ cells can lead to cell proliferation and early signs of cancer. The findings challenge the current one-size-fits-all therapeutic approach to skin and eye health, suggesting the need for more targeted treatments.
