Manipulation of Stem Cell Proliferation and Lineage Commitment: Visualization of Label-Retaining Cells in Wholemounts of Mouse Epidermis

September 2003 in “ Development ”

Kristin M. Braun, Catherin Niemann, Uffe Birk Jensen, John P. Sundberg, Violeta Silva-Vargas, Fiona M. Watt

TLDR Stem cell behavior varies with stimuli, and lineage changes can happen without affecting stem cell division.

The study investigated stem cell behavior in mouse epidermis, focusing on DNA label-retaining cells (LRC) that indicate infrequent division. LRC were found in hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and interfollicular epidermis, expressing keratin 15 and α6β4 integrin. They were not significantly depleted by hair growth cycles but could be reduced by phorbol ester treatment within 12 days. Myc activation increased epidermal proliferation without depleting LRC, while blocking β-catenin signaling with truncated Lef1 led to hair follicle transdifferentiation and LRC loss through proliferation. The study concluded that LRC sensitivity to stimuli varies, and lineage changes can occur independently of LRC cycling.

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