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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin

Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin

Published on: April 29, 2016

Epidermal stem cell diversity and quiescence.

Fiona M Watt¹, Kim B Jensen

¹Wellcome Trust Centre for Stem Cell Research, Tennis Court Road, Cambridge, UK. fiona.watt@cancer.org.uk

EMBO Molecular Medicine

|January 6, 2010

Summary

Mammalian epidermis contains diverse stem cell populations with distinct locations and behaviors. These stem cells can differentiate into multiple lineages, especially after injury, revealing new insights into skin regeneration.

Area of Science:

Dermatology and stem cell biology
Molecular and cellular mechanisms of epidermal homeostasis

Background:

Mammalian epidermis relies on stem cell self-renewal and progeny differentiation.
Previous understanding lacked recognition of diverse epidermal stem cell populations.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the heterogeneity and functional plasticity of mammalian epidermal stem cells.
To explore signaling pathways involved in epidermal stem cell differentiation and quiescence.

Main Methods:

Analysis of stem cell location, quiescence, and active cycling states.
Observation of stem cell behavior during normal homeostasis and in response to injury/genetic manipulation.
Investigation of signaling pathways including Wnt, EGF receptor, NFATc1, and Lrig1.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin

Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin

Published on: March 31, 2011

A Culture Method to Maintain Quiescent Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

A Culture Method to Maintain Quiescent Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Published on: May 17, 2021

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 17, 2026

Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin

Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin

Published on: April 29, 2016

Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin

Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin

Published on: March 31, 2011

A Culture Method to Maintain Quiescent Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

A Culture Method to Maintain Quiescent Human Hematopoietic Stem Cells

Published on: May 17, 2021

Main Results:

Identified distinct epidermal stem cell populations with varied locations and cell cycle states.
Demonstrated multi-lineage differentiation potential of different stem cell pools upon injury.
Highlighted roles for EGF receptor signaling in interfollicular epidermis and NFATc1/Lrig1 in hair follicle/junctional zone quiescence.

Conclusions:

Mammalian epidermis harbors functionally diverse stem cell populations.
Stem cell plasticity allows for multi-lineage differentiation, particularly under stress.
Specific signaling pathways regulate stem cell quiescence and lineage commitment in different epidermal compartments.