TLDR Human dermal stem cells can become functional skin pigment cells.
The study demonstrated that human dermal stem cells (DSCs) isolated from foreskin could differentiate into functional melanocytes in a 3D skin model. These DSCs exhibited self-renewal capabilities and expressed neural crest stem cell markers but not melanocyte markers initially. Upon differentiation, DSC-derived melanocytes migrated to the epidermis and expressed melanocyte markers like HMB45 and E-cadherin. The findings suggested that DSCs in the dermis could serve as a reservoir for melanocytes, potentially impacting our understanding of pigmentation disorders and offering new avenues for treatment.
24 citations,
September 2008 in “Clinical and experimental dermatology” Repigmentation in vitiligo may come from melanocyte stem cells in the skin.
3 citations,
November 2023 in “Frontiers in cell and developmental biology” Melanocytes are important for skin and hair color and protect the skin from UV damage.
66 citations,
March 2019 in “Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences” Melanocyte development from neural crest cells is complex and influenced by many factors, and better understanding could help treat skin disorders.
June 2021 in “bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)” The gene Tfap2b is essential for creating a type of stem cell in zebrafish that can become different pigment cells.
26 citations,
July 2012 in “Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - General Subjects” The review found that different stem cell types in the skin are crucial for repair and could help treat skin diseases and cancer.
41 citations,
April 2019 in “PLOS genetics” CD34+ and CD34- melanocyte stem cells have different regenerative abilities.
