Gatekeeping the Sebaceous Gland

August 2023 in “ bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) ”

Suveer Sachdeva, Araz Ahmed, Gordon Proctor, Isabelle Milétich

sebaceous gland follicular epidermis Axin2+ stem cells Wnt secretion cell differentiation cell proliferation skin health

Studysummary This study identified a novel skin site called the follicular epidermis that is prone to cancer, with unique Axin2+ stem cells regulating its homeostasis. The findings suggest current therapeutic approaches may need reconsideration due to new insights into obstruction mechanisms at this site. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

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.

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