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Defining the epithelial stem cell niche in skin
Tudorita Tumbar1, Geraldine Guasch, Valentina Greco
1Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, Rockefeller University, New York, NY 10021, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|December 13, 2003
Summary
Researchers developed a method to label slow-cycling skin stem cells (SCs). These label-retaining cells (LRCs) rarely divide in their niche but exhibit distinct properties upon exiting, revealing niche-specific gene expression.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Regenerative medicine
- Dermatology
Background:
- Adult stem cells are crucial for tissue regeneration.
- Many stem cells divide infrequently but possess high proliferative potential.
- Identifying and isolating specific stem cell populations is essential for understanding tissue homeostasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a method for cell type-specific fluorescent labeling of slow-cycling cells.
- To purify and characterize label-retaining cells (LRCs) within the skin stem cell (SC) niche.
- To define the transcriptional profile of skin SCs and their niche.
Main Methods:
- Development of a fluorescent labeling strategy for slow-cycling cells.
- Purification of label-retaining cells (LRCs) marking the skin stem cell niche.
- Transcriptional profiling of purified LRCs, progeny, and other SCs.
Main Results:
- LRCs within the skin SC niche divide infrequently.
- LRCs exhibit distinct property changes upon exiting the niche.
- Transcriptional profiling identified >100 preferentially expressed messenger RNAs in the niche, including those for surface receptors and secreted proteins.
Conclusions:
- The developed method enables specific labeling and purification of skin stem cells.
- LRCs possess unique characteristics and gene expression profiles defining their niche.
- The identified genes suggest mechanisms for LRCs to interact with their microenvironment and respond to stimuli.
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