New Insights into the Role of Runx1 in Epithelial Stem Cell Biology and Pathology

The document discussed the role of the transcription factor Runx1 in epithelial stem cell biology and pathology, particularly in hair follicles (HFs) and other epithelial tissues. Runx1 was crucial for hair cycling and wound healing in mice, with its expression pattern conserved in humans. It regulated Stat3 by repressing cytokine-signaling suppressors, affecting normal hair cycling. Runx1's role extended to other epithelial tissues like nails and oral epithelium, contributing to stem cell maintenance. Additionally, Runx1 was implicated in autoimmune diseases and various cancers, including skin squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), where it was essential for tumor growth and survival. The findings suggested that targeting Runx1 could be a potential strategy for treating SCC and other cancers.