Single cell transcriptomics of human epidermis reveals basal stem cell transition states

September 2019 in “ bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) ”

Shuxiong Wang, Michael L. Drummond, Christian F. Guerrero‐Juarez, Eric Tarapore, Adam L. MacLean, Adam R. Stabell, Stephanie Wu, Guadalupe Gutierrez, Bao T. That, Claudia A. Benavente, Qing Nie, Scott X. Atwood

single cell-RNA sequencing basal stem cells interfollicular epidermis epidermal communication hierarchical differentiation lineage epidermal stratification epidermal homeostasis

TLDR Basal stem cells in the skin have distinct types that are crucial for skin structure and health.

The study utilized single cell-RNA sequencing to explore the heterogeneity of basal stem cells in human interfollicular epidermis, identifying at least four distinct stem cell populations. These populations were found to occupy transitional positions between the basal and suprabasal layers, serving as critical signaling hubs for maintaining epidermal communication. The research supported a hierarchical differentiation lineage, suggesting that "transitional" basal stem cells were stable states crucial for proper epidermal stratification. Alterations in genes expressed by these transitional cells led to significant thinning of human skin equivalents, highlighting their essential role in maintaining epidermal homeostasis and the importance of basal stem cell diversity.

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