Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 8, 2026
08:26
Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin
Published on: March 31, 2011
Epidermal stem cells and their epigenetic regulation.
Qi Shen1, Hongchuan Jin, Xian Wang
1Department of Medical Oncology, Institute of Clinical Science, Sir Runrun Shaw Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
International Journal of Molecular Sciences
|September 4, 2013
Summary
Epidermal stem cells are crucial for skin regeneration and development. This review explores how epigenetic regulation influences their function and differentiation, despite having the same genome.
Area of Science:
- Stem cell biology
- Epigenetics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Adult stem cells maintain tissue homeostasis and are vital for regeneration.
- Epidermal stem cells possess pluripotency and are key to skin development and repair.
- Cell fate determination relies on epigenetic regulation of gene expression, even with identical genomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of epigenetic modulation in epidermal stem cells.
- To highlight the role of epigenetics in epidermal stem cell differentiation and function.
- To provide insights into the potential of epidermal stem cells in regenerative medicine.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current research on epidermal stem cells.
- Analysis of studies focusing on epigenetic mechanisms (e.g., DNA methylation, histone modification).
- Synthesis of findings related to gene expression regulation in epidermal stem cells.
Main Results:
- Epigenetic modifications play a significant role in controlling epidermal stem cell behavior.
- Understanding these epigenetic changes is crucial for harnessing stem cell potential.
- Research indicates that epigenetic regulation dictates cell fate and differentiation pathways.
Conclusions:
- Epigenetic modulation is a critical factor in epidermal stem cell biology.
- Further research into epigenetic mechanisms can advance regenerative medicine applications.
- Targeting epigenetic pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for skin conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:12Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular cells,...
01:19Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...
01:14Maintenance of the ES Cell State
The cells of the blastocyst inner cell mass only remain pluripotent for a short time. This state of pluripotency and self-renewal can be maintained in embryonic stem (ES) cell culture by adding specific chemicals or growth factors to ensure the cells can continue dividing and later differentiate into different cell types. In some cases, the cells are grown on a feeder layer of differentiated cells, which provides the growth factors and extracellular matrix components necessary for stem cell...
01:26Stem Cell Niche
The stem cell niche is the dynamic microenvironment where stem cells reside. Inside these niches, the cells may remain undifferentiated, undergo high self-renewal, or become lineage-specific progenitors. Stem cells coexist with other niche cells, such as stromal cells. They also interact closely with the ECM. Cell-cell and cell-matrix communication occur via adhesion molecules or soluble factors that signal the stem cells and determine their fate. Stromal cells also provide survival signals to...
01:37Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
X-chromosome...
01:46Epigenetic Regulation
Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.