Hair Follicle Stem Cells: The Signaling Hub of the Skin
January 2024
in “
Journal of cellular immunology
”
TLDR Hair follicle stem cells are important for maintaining healthy skin and interact with many signals.
Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are multipotential with a high proliferative capacity and play a crucial role in skin homeostasis through complex signaling pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, TGFβ/BMP, Notch, and Hedgehog. Located in the bulge region of the hair follicle's outer root sheath, HFSCs act as a central hub for skin-organizing signals, interacting with other specialized niche cells. This review highlights the detailed interactions of cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic factors that regulate HFSCs, aiming to enhance the understanding of skin disorders and support future research in this area.