Transdifferentiation of corneal epithelium into epidermis occurs by means of a multistep process triggered by dermal developmental signals

The study demonstrated that differentiated cells of the corneal epithelium could be converted into hair and interfollicular epidermis through a multistep process initiated by dermal developmental signals. This process involved the dedifferentiation of committed basal cells of the corneal epithelium, influenced by signals from an embryonic hair-forming dermis, likely involving Wnts. The dedifferentiation was marked by the down-regulation of Pax6 and changes in keratin expression. These cells could then induce dermal condensations, leading to hair follicle formation via a Noggin-dependent mechanism, and eventually form an epidermis from the newly formed hair stem cells.