Molecular Heterogeneity of Quiescent Melanocyte Stem Cells Revealed by Single-Cell RNA-Sequencing

The study used single-cell RNA sequencing to reveal significant molecular heterogeneity within quiescent melanocyte stem cells (qMcSCs) from the telogen skin of adult female C57BL/6J mice. Researchers identified distinct subpopulations based on gene expression patterns, anatomical location, and stem cell potential, using markers like CDH3 and CD34. They mapped 5545 qMcSCs into eight clusters, showing variability in gene expression and biological processes, with some clusters more primed for reactivation and proliferation. The study highlighted the complexity and compartmentalization within the qMcSC pool, providing a comprehensive transcriptomic landscape and suggesting that future research should consider subpopulation composition changes to understand their role in pigmentation maintenance and disease susceptibility.