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.
52 citations,
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Skin stem cells are crucial for maintaining and repairing skin, with potential for treating skin disorders and improving wound healing.
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September 2018 in “Molecular Biology of the Cell” Blocking Wnt/β-catenin signaling with EGF receptor is necessary for proper hair growth.
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October 2017 in “Stem cells” Wnt signaling is crucial for skin development and hair growth.
