Interfollicular epidermal stem cells in human and mouse skin

描述（由申请人提供）：成体干细胞被认为负责表皮的持续自我更新。虽然毛囊干细胞在突出已经很好地表征，我们的理解干细胞在毛囊间表皮仍然很差。我们在人和小鼠出生后的皮肤中发现了独特的细胞，它们共同表达干细胞标记物CD133和基础标记物alpha6整合素。我们的初步研究表明，这些细胞存在于毛囊间基底上皮内的离散斑块中，表达干细胞基因，如nanog和achaete scut -like 3，并可能在体内重建（“斑块”）实验中产生新的毛囊。我们假设这些细胞是真正的多能性毛囊间干细胞，能够自我更新和再生皮肤成分，特别是表皮和毛囊。我们将使用人类和老鼠模型来验证这一假设。具有多能性的毛囊间干细胞群的发现将对皮肤生物学产生重大影响，挑战当前的皮肤和HF再生模型，并为慢性伤口和脱发的治疗提供强有力的新工具。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Adult somatic stem cells are thought to be responsible for the continued self renewal of the epidermis. Although hair follicle stem cells in the bulge have been well characterized, our understanding of stem cells in the interfollicular epidermis remains poor. We have discovered unique cells within human and mouse postnatal skin which co-express the stem cell marker CD133 and basal marker alpha6 integrin. Our preliminary studies indicate that these cells exist in discrete patches within interfollicular basal epithelium, express stem cell genes such as nanog and achaete scute-like 3 and may generate new hair follicles in in vivo reconstitution ("patch") assays. We postulate that these cells are true multipotent interfollicular stem cells, capable of self renewal and the regeneration of skin components, specifically epidermis and hair follicles. We will use human and mouse models to test this hypothesis. The discovery of an interfollicular stem cell population with multipotent capability would have high impact on skin biology, challenging current models of skin and HF regeneration, and provide a powerful new tool for therapeutic treatment of chronic wounds and alopecia. PUBLIC HEALTH RELEVANCE: We will study stem cells in the outer portion of the skin called the epidermis. The goal is to better understand the cells responsible for the constant production of this layer and its remarkable response to wounding. Ultimately, this research may impact on developing new treatments for skin problems such as chronic wounds, burns, alopecia and skin aging.