Identification of Stem Cell Populations in Sweat Glands and Ducts Reveals Roles in Homeostasis and Wound Repair

The study identified multipotent progenitor cells within sweat ducts that become unipotent after the development of the sweat gland. Researchers characterized four distinct adult stem cell populations in glandular skin, each with unique regenerative abilities for different types of tissue injuries. They developed purification methods to isolate these progenitors and conducted transcriptional profiling. The study revealed that while some progenitors can regain multipotency and generate new ductal and glandular structures, they maintain their identity even when placed in different microenvironments. This research provides new insights into the stem cells of sweat glands and offers a basis for future exploration of sweat gland biology and their potential role in homeostasis and wound repair.