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Updated: Oct 9, 2025
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Isolation and Culture of Adult Epithelial Stem Cells from Human Skin
Published on: March 31, 2011
28.6K
Dynamic stem cell selection safeguards the genomic integrity of the epidermis
Tomoki Kato1, Nan Liu1, Hironobu Morinaga1
1Department of Stem Cell Biology, Medical Research Institute, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, 1-5-45 Yushima, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan.
Developmental Cell
|December 21, 2021
Summary
Scientists discovered a tissue mechanism that removes damaged epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) through selective differentiation and delamination, ensuring genomic stability and promoting the growth of healthy cells.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Genomics
- Dermatology
Background:
- Genomic integrity is vital for life, but mechanisms safeguarding the epithelial genome are not fully understood.
- Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are crucial for skin renewal and protection against environmental damage.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the in vivo dynamics of DNA-damaged cells within epithelial tissues.
- To identify the mechanisms responsible for clearing damaged epidermal stem cells and maintaining genomic stability.
Main Methods:
- Development of an in vivo fate tracing system for EpiSCs with DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs).
- Analysis of the DNA damage response (DDR) pathways involved in cell clearance.
- Assessment of stem cell division patterns following the elimination of damaged cells.
Main Results:
- DNA-damaged EpiSCs were observed to exit their niches.
- Selective differentiation and delamination of damaged EpiSCs were mediated by the DDR-p53-Notch/p21 axis and ITGB1 downregulation.
- Elimination of damaged cells was coupled with increased symmetric cell divisions in surrounding stem cells.
Conclusions:
- A tissue-driven mechanism coordinates cell-autonomous and non-cell-autonomous processes to maintain epidermal genomic quality.
- This mechanism involves the selective removal of damaged cells and the compensatory expansion of healthy stem cells.
- The findings reveal a novel strategy for safeguarding the integrity of the epithelial genome.
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