<i>Pten</i> loss in Lgr5<sup>+</sup> hair follicle stem cells promotes SCC development
January 2019
in “
Theranostics
”
TLDR Loss of Pten in certain hair follicle stem cells increases skin cancer risk.
The study investigated the role of <i>Pten</i> loss in Lgr5<sup>+</sup> hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) in the development of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Using a mouse model, researchers found that <i>Pten</i> loss in these stem cells promoted SCC formation, which was reduced in <i>TNF<sup>-/-</sup></i> mice. Additionally, the absence of β-catenin in Lgr5<sup>+</sup> HFSCs decreased SCC formation. The study concluded that <i>Pten</i> loss in Lgr5<sup>+</sup> cells activated Akt/β-catenin signaling, leading to the development of SCCs from these primed stem cells.
