Lineage Analysis of Epidermal Stem Cells

The 2014 document reviews the role of epidermal stem cells in maintaining the interfollicular epidermis (IFE) and in wound repair, with a focus on mouse models. It reveals that progenitor cells, dividing roughly once a week, are responsible for the maintenance of the IFE by producing a balance of progenitor and differentiating cells. Slow-cycling stem cells, while not contributing significantly to regular maintenance, are crucial for injury response. The document also explores the behavior of hair follicle stem cells, noting that different populations contribute to various parts of the follicle and sebaceous gland, and can participate in IFE repair after wounding. The findings suggest that human epidermal maintenance may operate similarly to that in mice, with a single-cell population responsible for both maintenance and repair. The review underscores the importance of genetic labeling in understanding cell dynamics and calls for further research to elucidate the behavior of different stem cell populations in the epidermis.