Stem cell fate and patterning in mammalian epidermis.
Recent studies highlight characteristics of epidermal stem cells that were not fully appreciated before. Stem cells are multipotential and signals exchanged with their neighbours help to regulate exit from the stem cell compartment and differentiation along specific lineages. Stem cells exhibit a high degree of spatial organisation, and cell clustering and motility contribute to the assembly and maintenance of the epidermis.
Watt
F M
FM
Keratinocyte Laboratory, Imperial Cancer Research Fund, 44 Lincoln's Inn Fields, WC2A 3PX, London, UK. watt@icrf.icnet.uk
D000818:Animals; D019521:Body Patterning / Q000502:physiology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000196:embryology*; D006801:Humans; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology*