Local Microenvironment Provides Important Cues for Cell Differentiation in Lingual Epithelia

The study demonstrated that the local microenvironment played a crucial role in the differentiation of K14+ progenitor cells in lingual epithelia of transgenic mice. Disruption of TGF-β signaling led to changes in cell proliferation and differentiation patterns, particularly in the filiform papillae, with GFP expression indicating that K14+ cells contributed to the development of taste buds and basal cells. The findings suggested that stem cell populations in the tongue are influenced by their microenvironment, affecting their differentiation potential and gene expression, highlighting the importance of local cellular context in tissue development and regeneration.