epidermal stem cells

[Nature Communications] Scientists reported that single-cell transcriptome analysis of primary human epidermal cultures identifies categories of genes clearly distinguishing the different keratinocyte clonal types, which are hierarchically organized along a continuous, mainly linear trajectory showing that stem cells sequentially generate progenitors producing terminally differentiated cells.

[Science Advances] The authors generated intestinal goblet cells from human epidermal stem cells with two small molecular inhibitors Repsox and CHIR99021 in the presence of basic fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein 4 at high efficiency of conversion for a short time.

[Nature Communications] Researchers identified a critical requirement of B-plexin transmembrane receptors in the response to crowding-induced mechanical forces during embryonic skin development.

[Genes & Development] Researchers showed how polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 function as two independent counterparts, thereby providing a repressive safety net that protects and preserves lineage identity.

[Molecular Psychiatry] The authors showed that expression of the glucagon-like peptide-1 gene delivered by epidermal stem cells attenuated development and reinstatement of alcohol-induced drug-taking and seeking as well as voluntary oral alcohol consumption.

[Genes & Development] Coablation of polycomb repressive complex 1 (PRC1) and PRC2 in embryonic epidermal progenitors resulted in severe defects in epidermal stratification, a phenotype not observed in the single PRC1-null or PRC2-null epidermis.