Linking chromatin dynamics, cell fate plasticity, and tissue homeostasis in adult mouse hair follicle stem cells
TLDR Mouse hair follicle stem cells have a flexible chromatin state that supports skin health and hair growth.
The study explored the chromatin dynamics in adult mouse hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and their role in cell fate plasticity and tissue homeostasis. It was found that during quiescence, HFSCs exhibited a globally low level of histone H3 K4/9/27me3, indicating a hypomethylated state necessary for proper skin homeostasis and hair cycle regulation. This state was associated with a hyperdynamic chromatin condition, characterized by higher exchange rates for core histone H2B, similar to embryonic stem cells with high cell fate plasticity. Additionally, quiescent HFSCs showed a greater tendency for de-differentiation when exposed to Yamanaka's reprogramming factors, supporting the model that HFSCs achieve a chromatin state at quiescence conducive to increased cell fate plasticity.
