TLDR Stem cell niches are crucial for regulating stem cell behavior and tissue health, and their decline can impact aging and cancer.
The review "Stem Cells and the Niche: A Dynamic Duo" from February 1, 2010, explores the critical role of stem cell niches in regulating stem cell behavior for tissue homeostasis and repair. It discusses the history of the stem cell niche concept, the interaction between stem cells and their niches, and the impact of these interactions on aging, disease progression, and cancer. The review also examines experimental data and methodologies, such as lineage tracing and single-cell transplantation, to identify stem cells and niches in various tissues. It emphasizes the decline in niche function with aging, which affects tissue maintenance and repair, and how cancer can manipulate niches to support tumor growth. The document calls for further research on the genetic regulation of niches and the development of new technologies to improve our understanding of stem cell-niche dynamics and to enhance stem cell-based therapies and regenerative medicine.
1039 citations,
February 2009 in “Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology” Skin stem cells are crucial for maintaining and repairing the skin and hair, using a complex mix of signals to do so.
835 citations,
October 2008 in “Nature Genetics” Lgr5 is a marker for active, long-lasting stem cells in mouse hair follicles.
829 citations,
May 2007 in “Nature” Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.
50 citations,
December 2013 in “Stem Cells” Stem cell niches are adaptable and key for tissue maintenance and repair.
24 citations,
May 2016 in “Stem Cell Reviews and Reports” The document concludes that understanding how adult stem and progenitor cells move is crucial for tissue repair and developing cell therapies.
1 citations,
April 2021 in “Current Stem Cell Reports” Eating less can improve stem cell function and increase lifespan.
480 citations,
August 2014 in “Nature Biotechnology” Changing the environment around stem cells could help tissue repair, but it's hard to be precise and avoid side effects.
129 citations,
May 2015 in “Cell Stem Cell” Different types of stem cells exist within individual skin layers, and they can adapt to damage, transplantation, or tumor growth. These cells are regulated by their environment and genetic factors. Tumor growth is driven by expanding, genetically altered cells, not long-lived mutant stem cells. There's evidence of cancer stem cells in skin tumors. Other cells, bacteria, and genetic factors help maintain balance and contribute to disease progression. A method for growing mini organs from single cells has been developed.
25 citations,
April 2021 in “The EMBO Journal” Hair follicle stem cells help maintain skin health and could improve skin replacement therapies.
