Torkamani N, Rufaut N W, Jones L, Sinclair R
The University of Melbourne, School of Medicine and Dentistry, Department of Dermatology, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia; Epworth Hospital, Dermatology Research Laboratory, Melbourne, VIC 3000, Australia.
Stem Cells Int. 2016;2016:1286315. doi: 10.1155/2016/1286315. Epub 2016 Jun 8.
Inconsistent with the view that epidermal stem cells reside randomly spread along the basal layer of the epidermal rete ridges, we found that epidermal cells expressing stem cell markers in nonglabrous skin exist in direct connection with the distal end of the arrector pili muscle. The epidermal cells that express stem cell markers consist of a subpopulation of basal keratinocytes located in a niche at the lowermost portion of the rete ridges at the distal arrector pili muscle attachment site. Keratinocytes in the epidermal stem cell niche express K15, MCSP, and α6 integrin. α5 integrin marks the distal end of the APM colocalized with basal keratinocytes expressing stem cell markers located in a well-protected and nourished environment at the lowermost point of the epidermis; these cells are hypothesized to participate directly in epidermal renewal and homeostasis and also indirectly in wound healing through communication with the hair follicle bulge epithelial stem cell population through the APM. Our findings, plus a reevaluation of the literature, support the hierarchical model of interfollicular epidermal stem cell units of Fitzpatrick. This new view provides insights into epidermal control and the possible involvement of epidermal stem cells in nonmelanoma skin carcinogenesis.
与表皮干细胞随机散布于表皮嵴基底层的观点不一致的是,我们发现非无毛皮肤中表达干细胞标志物的表皮细胞与立毛肌的远端直接相连。表达干细胞标志物的表皮细胞由位于立毛肌附着部位远端表皮嵴最下部特定微环境中的基底角质形成细胞亚群组成。表皮干细胞微环境中的角质形成细胞表达K15、MCSP和α6整合素。α5整合素标记立毛肌远端,与位于表皮最下部受良好保护和滋养环境中的表达干细胞标志物的基底角质形成细胞共定位;据推测,这些细胞直接参与表皮更新和稳态维持,还通过立毛肌与毛囊隆突部上皮干细胞群相互作用间接参与伤口愈合。我们的研究结果以及对文献的重新评估,支持了Fitzpatrick提出的毛囊间表皮干细胞单元的层级模型。这一新观点为表皮调控以及表皮干细胞在非黑素瘤皮肤癌发生过程中可能的作用提供了见解。