Multi-Tasking Epidermal Stem Cells: Beyond Epidermal Maintenance

    Hironobu Fujiwara, Ko Tsutsui, Ritsuko Morita
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    TLDR Epidermal stem cells have various roles in skin beyond just maintenance, including forming specialized structures and aiding in skin repair and regeneration.
    The document from 2018 reviews the complex roles of epidermal stem cells, which extend beyond simple epidermal maintenance. It reveals that the epidermis contains multiple stem cell populations, each with unique transcriptional profiles, proliferative behaviors, and specific anatomical locations, which are responsible for maintaining different epidermal compartments. These stem cells also form specialized niches for neighboring cells and contribute to the formation of epidermal-dermal functional units. The review underscores the plasticity of these stem cells, which can adapt their identity and function in response to perturbations, aiding in tissue homeostasis and regeneration. It also discusses the role of Wnt signaling in the production of transit-amplifying cells and the coordination of hair regeneration and pigmentation, as well as the importance of dermal fibroblast heterogeneity in hair follicle morphogenesis. The document concludes that the diverse functions of epidermal stem cells are facilitated by the creation of heterogeneous stem cell pools, optimized transcriptional states for cell communication, and strategic placement within the skin.
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