Mechanical Force Drives the Initial Mesenchymal-Epithelial Interaction During Skin Organoid Development

The research paper "Mechanical force drives the initial mesenchymal-epithelial interaction during skin organoid development" explores the role of mechanical force in the development of skin organoids, which are mini-organs created from stem cells. The study found that the contraction force from dermal cells is crucial for the initial interaction between mesenchymal and epithelial cells in skin organoids, which is fundamental for hair follicle regeneration. The contraction force also triggers Piezo1 expression in epidermal cells, which negatively impacts dermal cell attachment. The research also discovered that calcium signaling and mechanical force play key roles in dermal cell attachment and hair regeneration. The study used cells derived from the dorsal skin of newborn mice and applied various treatments, including stretching and altering calcium levels. The findings provide valuable insights into organoid, developmental, and regenerative biology, particularly in the context of hair regeneration.