Glandular stem cells in the skin during development, homeostasis, wound repair and regeneration

Abstract

Glands in the skin are essential for various physiological functions involving exocrine secretion. Like other tissues and organs, they possess the ability to repair injury and self-renew during homeostasis. Progenitor cells in glands are mostly unipotent but include some multipotent stem cells that function when extensive remodelling or regeneration is required. In this review, using two glandular models in skin, mouse sweat gland and mammary gland, we discuss lineage restriction that develops during glandular morphogenesis, as well as the mechanisms regulating cell fate and plasticity during wound repair and regeneration. Understanding the intrinsic and extrinsic factors that control the behaviours of glandular stem cell and maintain glandular functions will provide insight into future prospects for glandular regeneration.

Enhancing regenerative medicine: the crucial role of stem cell therapy

“…USCs are commonly found in adult tissues and are able to continuously replenish particular cell populations that are consumed, playing a vital role in tissue maintenance and repair. Examples of USCs include basal cells in the skin ( Lin and Lu, 2021 ) and satellite cells in the skeletal muscle ( Mierzejewski et al, 2020 ). The potential of USCs in the treatment of diseases is limited by their single mode of differentiation.…”

Skin stem cells in health and in disease

“…By contrast, the eccrine mammary glands harbour rare multipotent stem cells in the adult, 81,82 likely reflecting differences in the functional needs of these two glands. In this issue, Lin and Lu 83 detail the interesting biology of sweat glands and mammary glands and highlight their differential stem cell hierarchies and lineage restrictions during development, injury repair and regeneration.…”

Neurotransmitter signaling specifies sweat gland stem cell fate through SLN-mediated intracellular calcium regulation

“…Sweat gland morphogenesis is a two-step process: the straight duct elongates first, then the cells at the tip of the duct differentiate into coiled glandular structures and grow until fully mature (14). Previous work had demonstrated the progenitor populations in the sweat ducts and glands exhibit distinct transcriptional profiles and have respective roles in injury repair and maintenance (15).…”