Single Cell Analysis of Transcriptome and Open Chromatin Reveals the Dynamics of Hair Follicle Stem Cell Aging

July 2023 in “ Frontiers in Aging ”

Chi Zhang, Dongmei Wang, Robin D. Dowell, Rui Yi

hair follicle stem cells HF-SCs transcriptome open chromatin hair cycle aging differentiation quiescence stem cells chromatin hair growth cycle

Studysummary This research detailed a single-cell atlas showing dynamic hair follicle stem cell states associated with the hair cycle during aging in mice, highlighting differences in chromatin landscape linked to stem cell differentiation and quiescence, and providing a foundation for future exploration of aging reversal.

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This study used single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) and single-cell ATAC sequencing (scATACseq) to analyze the aging process of hair follicle stem cells (HF-SCs) in mice from P28 to 24 months. The researchers found that aging HF-SCs exhibit reduced open chromatin regions, indicating compromised differentiation potential, and increased regions associated with prolonged quiescence. They also identified a unique migratory niche (migNiche) population and observed that niche cells accumulate gene expressions associated with cellular stress as they age. The study highlights the importance of the microenvironment in HF-SC aging and suggests potential targets for future research into hair follicle aging and therapeutic interventions.

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