The Dynamic Duo: Niche and Stem Cell Interdependency

The 2015 document highlights the interdependent relationship between stem cells and their niche, using the hair follicle in mice as a model. The study utilized a novel live imaging technique to observe hair follicle regeneration, discovering that stem cell activities are spatially organized within the follicle and dependent on proximity to the dermal papilla (DP) niche. Cells closer to the DP were more likely to differentiate and contribute to hair growth, while those further away remained inactive. The DP was essential for initiating growth and regression of hair follicles, as its removal stopped these processes. The research also found that the niche can induce a stem cell fate in neighboring cells after injury and that different signaling pathways are active during various hair growth phases. Abnormal niche/stem cell interactions were linked to cancer, with mutations in pathways like Wnt/ß-catenin and TGF-ß contributing to squamous cell carcinoma. The findings emphasize the importance of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in tissue regeneration and cancer, offering insights for potential therapeutic strategies. The number of mice used in the study was not specified.