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。虽然毛囊干细胞在隆突已得到很好的特点，我们的理解干细胞在毛囊间表皮仍然很差。我们已经在人类和小鼠出生后皮肤中发现了共同表达干细胞标志物CD 133和基础标志物α 6整联蛋白的独特细胞。我们的初步研究表明，这些细胞存在于毛囊间基底上皮的离散补丁，表达干细胞基因，如nanog和achaete scute-like 3，并可能在体内重建（“补丁”）试验中产生新的毛囊。我们假设这些细胞是真正的多能毛囊间干细胞，能够自我更新和皮肤成分的再生，特别是表皮和毛囊。我们将使用人类和小鼠模型来验证这一假设。具有多能能力的滤泡间干细胞群的发现将对皮肤生物学产生重大影响，挑战目前的皮肤和HF再生模型，并为慢性伤口和脱发的治疗性治疗提供强大的新工具。 公共卫生相关性：我们将研究皮肤外部称为表皮的干细胞。我们的目标是更好地了解负责不断产生这一层的细胞及其对创伤的显着反应。最终，这项研究可能会影响开发新的皮肤问题治疗方法，如慢性伤口，烧伤，脱发和皮肤老化。

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.