Work

Epidermal stem cells are retained in vivo throughout skin aging

Year: 2008

Type: article

Abstract: In healthy individuals, skin integrity is maintained by epidermal stem cells which self-renew and generate daughter cells that undergo terminal differentiation. It is currently unknown whether epidermal stem cells influence or are affected by skin aging. We therefore compared young and aged skin stem cell abundance, organization, and proliferation. We discovered that despite age-associated differences in epidermal proliferation, dermal thickness, follicle patterning, and immune cell abundance, epidermal stem cells were maintained at normal levels throughout life. These findings, coupled with observed dermal gene expression changes, suggest that epidermal stem cells themselves are intrinsically aging resistant and that local environmental or systemic factors modulate skin aging.

Source: Aging Cell

DOI: 10.1111/j.1474-9726.2008.00372.x

Authors: Adam Giangreco, Mei Qin, John E. Pintar, Fiona M. Watt

Institutions: Cancer Research UK, Cancer Research UK Cambridge Center, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey

Language: English

Topic: Hair Growth and Disorders

Subfield: Dermatology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: Cancer Research UK, National Institutes of Health