Multipotent Nestin-Positive Stem Cells Reside in the Stroma of Human Eccrine and Apocrine Sweat Glands and Can Be Propagated Robustly In Vitro

    October 2013 in “ PloS one ”
    Sabine Nagel, F. Rohr, Caroline Weber, Janina Kier, Frank Siemers, Charli Kruse, Sandra Danner, Matthias Brandenburger, Anna Emilia Matthießen
    Studysummary This study found that human sweat glands contain unique stem cells with significant multilineage differentiation potential and self-renewal abilities, suggesting promising clinical applications due to easy biopsy access.
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    The 2013 study discovered that human sweat glands contain multipotent Nestin-positive stem cells, also known as sweat gland stroma-derived stem cells (SGSCs), in their stroma. These cells were found in both eccrine and apocrine sweat glands of human axillary skin. The researchers successfully propagated these cells in vitro, and found that 80% of isolated SGSCs expressed Nestin, had a high proliferation capacity, and could differentiate into various cell types. The SGSCs also demonstrated a pronounced ectodermal differentiation and secreted prominent cytokines, indicating their immunological potential. The study concluded that human sweat glands are a source of unique stem cells with potential for clinical therapies due to the easy accessibility of skin tissue biopsies. The study involved SGSCs from 6 different donors to account for patient variability.
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