The Integrated Stress Response Fine-Tunes Stem Cell Fate Decisions Upon Serine Deprivation and Tissue Injury

This study investigates how hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) manage their roles in hair regeneration and epidermal repair, particularly under conditions of serine deprivation. The research reveals that serine, a non-essential amino acid, is crucial for HFSCs to balance these functions. When dietary serine is low, HFSCs cannot produce enough serine internally, which slows hair cycle entry and alters wound repair by delaying hair regeneration but speeding up skin barrier restoration. The integrated stress response in HFSCs acts as a regulator, adjusting the balance between epidermal repair and hair growth based on stress levels. These findings suggest that dietary and pharmacological strategies could be developed to enhance wound healing.