From Basic Biology to Engineered Therapies: The Keratinocyte Stem Cell Playbook

February 2026 in “ Frontiers in Medical Technology ”

Adnan Uddin, Mohamad Rahmani, Abdulrahim A. Sajini

keratinocyte stem cells epidermal renewal self-renewal differentiation identity switch cell-cycle lock mechanotransduction lock external signals intrinsic mechanisms human keratinocytes 3D models hydrogel delivery systems keratinocyte-derived products wound healing immunomodulation pigment restoration ocular tissue regeneration mucosal tissue regeneration

Studysummary This review discusses current knowledge of keratinocyte stem cell dynamics, including their regenerative roles and potential applications beyond wound healing, but presents no new clinical findings.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This review explores the role of keratinocyte stem cells (KSCs) in epidermal renewal, focusing on their ability to balance self-renewal and differentiation through three "fate locks": identity switch, cell-cycle lock, and mechanotransduction lock. It discusses how external signals and intrinsic mechanisms guide KSC fate, and highlights advancements in isolating and expanding human keratinocytes. The review also covers 3D models, hydrogel delivery systems, and keratinocyte-derived products for wound healing, while noting emerging applications in immunomodulation, pigment restoration, and regeneration of ocular and mucosal tissues.

View this study on public-pages-files-2025.frontiersin.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research YAP/TAZ Signaling Controls Epidermal Keratinocyte Fate

14 citations , November 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review summarizes existing evidence on how YAP and TAZ proteins are activated in epidermal keratinocytes and their role in coordinating with other signaling molecules to control transcription and influence epidermal cell fate, highlighting their importance beyond the Hippo pathway.

research The Empowering Influence of Air-Liquid Interface Culture on Skin Organoid Hair Follicle Development

9 citations , October 2024 in “Burns & Trauma”

This study demonstrates that using transwell culture significantly influences hair follicle formation in skin models, potentially improving dermatology and skin research methodologies.

research Bioengineered Skin Organoids: From Development to Applications

August 2023 in “Military Medical Research”

This review highlights that skin organoids, advanced three-dimensional models mimicking human skin, are emerging as effective alternatives to traditional culture models and human skin, overcoming limitations of two-dimensional systems and ethical concerns, and are being increasingly used in areas like developmental biology and disease modeling.

research Progress in Studies of Epidermal Stem Cells and Their Application in Skin Tissue Engineering

44 citations , July 2020 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

This review discusses recent advancements in the study and application of epidermal stem cells for wound healing and tissue engineering, without presenting new experimental findings.

research Epidermal Stem Cells in Wound Healing and Their Clinical Applications

129 citations , July 2019 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

This review examines the role of epidermal stem cells in wound healing, discussing their characteristics and mechanisms, but does not report new clinical results.

research Integrin Signaling Regulates YAP/TAZ to Control Skin Homeostasis

266 citations , January 2016 in “Development”

In this study, researchers found that YAP and TAZ, when localized in the nucleus of basal layer cells, are crucial for skin regeneration and hair growth, with their loss leading to slower cell proliferation, hair loss, and impaired wound healing in mice.

research Anatomy and Function of the Skin

40 citations , January 2016 in “Elsevier eBooks”

This article explains the structure and multifunctional roles of the human skin, including its protective, regulatory, and sensory functions, but does not report new research findings.

research Two- And Three-Dimensional Culture Of Keratinocyte Stem And Precursor Cells Derived From Primary Murine Epidermal Cultures

28 citations , September 2011 in “Stem Cell Reviews and Reports”

research Long-Term Renewal of Hair Follicles from Clonogenic Multipotent Stem Cells

291 citations , October 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

This study found that rat whisker follicle stem cells can be expanded in culture and transplanted to form functional hair follicles, demonstrating their multipotency and potential for regenerative medicine.

research A Simple In Vivo System for Studying Epithelialization, Hair Follicle Formation, and Invasion Using Primary Epidermal Cells from Wild-Type and Transgenic Ornithine Decarboxylase-Overexpressing Mouse Skin

13 citations , December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that the tracheal xenotransplant procedure is an effective technique for assessing the invasiveness of epidermal keratinocytes and studying factors affecting hair follicle formation.