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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...
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Feeder-free Derivation of Melanocytes from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
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Identifying the niche controlling melanocyte differentiation.

Manuel Zocco1, Cédric Blanpain1,2

  • 1Université Libre de Buxelles (ULB), Stem Cells and Cancer Laboratory, 1070 Brussels, Belgium.

Genes & Development
|May 18, 2017
PubMed
Summary

Hair follicle pigmentation relies on melanocytes, but their differentiation niche was unclear. Researchers identified Krox20+ hair shaft cells as the niche, providing stem cell factor (SCF) essential for melanocyte maturation and hair color.

Keywords:
KROX20hair follicle stem cellhair matrixhair pigmentationhair shaft progenitor cellstem cell factor (SCF)

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Area of Science:

  • Cell Biology
  • Developmental Biology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Melanocytes in hair follicles control pigmentation.
  • Melanocyte differentiation and hair color depend on the stem cell factor (SCF)/c-Kit pathway.
  • The specific niche regulating melanocyte differentiation remains poorly understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify the niche regulating melanocyte differentiation in hair follicles.
  • To determine the source of stem cell factor (SCF) crucial for melanocyte maturation.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized genetic lineage tracing and molecular analyses.
  • Investigated the role of Krox20+ cells in the hair follicle microenvironment.

Main Results:

  • Identified Krox20+-derived cells within the hair shaft as the regulatory niche.
  • Demonstrated that these Krox20+ cells are the essential source of SCF for melanocyte maturation.
  • Established a direct link between the hair shaft niche and melanocyte differentiation.

Conclusions:

  • Krox20+ cells in the hair shaft constitute the critical niche for melanocyte differentiation.
  • This niche provides SCF, a key factor for melanocyte maturation and hair pigmentation.
  • The findings elucidate crucial hair follicle-melanocyte crosstalk regulating pigment cell maintenance and differentiation.