Hair Follicle Epidermal Stem Cells Define a Niche for Tactile Sensation

The study conducted 5 years ago investigated the role of compartmentalized epidermal stem cells in the hair follicle in tactile sensory unit formation in mice. These stem cells, located in the follicle upper-bulge, express a unique set of extracellular matrix (ECM) and neurogenesis-related genes. They deposit an ECM protein called EGFL6 into the collar matrix, which is necessary for the proper patterning, touch responses, and αv integrin-enrichment of lanceolate complexes, the mechanosensory end organs. The study also found that EGFL6 mediates cell adhesion via αv integrins and is crucial for mechanotransduction, the process by which cells convert mechanical stimulus into electrical activity. Furthermore, the study discovered that the unique tissue architecture provided by epidermal stem cells is a major determinant of the formation, preservation, and function of lanceolate complexes in the hair follicle.