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Updated: May 10, 2026

Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin
Published on: March 31, 2011
Epithelial stem cells, wound healing and cancer
Esther N Arwert1, Esther Hoste, Fiona M Watt
1Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute, Li Ka Shing Centre, Robinson Way, Cambridge CB2 ORE, UK.
Abstract:
It is well established that tissue repair depends on stem cells and that chronic wounds predispose to tumour formation. However, the association between stem cells, wound healing and cancer is poorly understood. Lineage tracing has now shown how stem cells are mobilized to repair skin wounds and how they contribute to skin tumour development. The signalling pathways, including WNT and Hedgehog, that control stem cell behaviour during wound healing are also implicated in tumour formation. Furthermore, tumorigenesis and wound repair both depend on communication between epithelial cells, mesenchymal cells and bone marrow-derived cells. These studies suggest ways to harness stem cells for wound repair while minimizing cancer risk.
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Adult stem cells
Adult stem cells are tissue-specific; hence, they divide to develop the tissue from which they originate. One type of adult stem cell is the epithelial stem cell, which gives rise to the keratinocytes in the multiple layers of epithelial cells in the epidermis of the skin. Adult bone marrow has three distinct types of stem cells:...

