Self-organizing and Stochastic Behaviors During the Regeneration of Hair Stem Cells

Overview

Journal Science

Specialty Science

Date 2011 Apr 30

PMID 21527712

Citations 114

Authors

Maksim V Plikus

Ruth E Baker

Chih-Chiang Chen

Clyde Fare

Damon de la Cruz

Thomas Andl

Philip K Maini

Sarah E Millar

Randall Widelitz

Cheng-Ming Chuong

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Stem cells cycle through active and quiescent states. Large populations of stem cells in an organ may cycle randomly or in a coordinated manner. Although stem cell cycling within single hair follicles has been studied, less is known about regenerative behavior in a hair follicle population. By combining predictive mathematical modeling with in vivo studies in mice and rabbits, we show that a follicle progresses through cycling stages by continuous integration of inputs from intrinsic follicular and extrinsic environmental signals based on universal patterning principles. Signaling from the WNT/bone morphogenetic protein activator/inhibitor pair is coopted to mediate interactions among follicles in the population. This regenerative strategy is robust and versatile because relative activator/inhibitor strengths can be modulated easily, adapting the organism to different physiological and evolutionary needs.

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