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Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin
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Lineage analysis of epidermal stem cells.
Maria P Alcolea1, Philip H Jones
1MRC Cancer Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 0XZ, United Kingdom.
Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
|January 4, 2014
Summary
Lineage tracing reveals how progenitor cells maintain epidermis and stem cells respond to wounding. Insights into mouse skin stem cell dynamics offer potential applications for human epidermis research.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Stem Cell Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Lineage tracing tracks cell behavior in vivo.
- Genetic lineage tracing, proliferation assays, and 3D imaging have advanced understanding of epidermal stem and progenitor cells.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review recent insights into murine epidermal stem and progenitor cell behavior.
- To discuss the role of stem cells in maintaining epidermal structures and responding to injury.
- To consider the translational relevance of mouse studies to human epidermis.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent literature on lineage tracing studies.
- Analysis of genetic lineage tracing and cell proliferation assays.
- Integration of high-resolution 3D imaging and quantitative methods.
Main Results:
- Progenitor cells maintain interfollicular epidermis under homeostatic conditions.
- Quiescent stem cells are activated upon wounding.
- Stem cell populations within hair follicles, sweat glands, and sebaceous glands have been analyzed.
Conclusions:
- Lineage tracing has transformed the understanding of epidermal stem and progenitor cells.
- Distinct roles for progenitor and stem cells in epidermal maintenance and repair are elucidated.
- Mouse models provide valuable insights into human epidermal biology and wound healing.
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