Vitamin D and Calcium Signaling in Epidermal Stem Cells and Their Regeneration

The document from July 26, 2020, investigated the role of Vitamin D and calcium in the functioning and regeneration of epidermal stem cells, particularly in the context of wound healing. The study found that Vitamin D and calcium signaling are crucial for the maintenance, differentiation, and self-renewal of these cells, which are essential for skin homeostasis, hair follicle regeneration, and wound re-epithelialization. These processes are mediated through β-catenin and E-cadherin mediated adherens junction signaling. The study also found that Vitamin D receptor (Vdr) conditional knockout (cKO) mouse skin experienced a delay in wound re-epithelialization under low dietary calcium conditions, suggesting a cooperative role of Vdr with calcium signaling in the epidermis. The document concluded that Vitamin D and calcium signaling regulate injury induced epidermal regeneration mutually and interdependently, and understanding this could lead to better therapies for skin diseases, hair loss, and chronic wounds.