title: Calcitonin gene-related peptide regulates the growth of epidermal stem cells in vitro.
abstract: Epidermal stem cells are characterized as slow-cycling, multi-potent, self-renewing cells that not only maintain somatic homeostasis, but also participate in tissue regeneration and repair. Various factors can influence the growth of epidermal stem cells. Recently, dysregulation of epidermal stem cells has been reported to be involved in epidermal hyperproliferative diseases and skin tumors. To determine the effect of calcitonin gene-related protein (CGRP), a cutaneous nerve neuropeptide, on the growth of human epidermal stem cells, epidermal stem cells were isolated from human skin and cultured in vitro. Epidermal stem cells grow well and maintain a high proliferative ability in Epilife medium, and express high levels of β1-integrin. CGRP (10(-8) M) can promote epidermal stem cells to enter the S phase and increase the number of bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)-labeled cells; the expression of β-catenin and c-myc genes are deregulated during this process, which can be compromised by CGRP8-37 peptide, an antagonist of CGRP receptor. Experimental evidence suggests that epidermal stem cells can be cultured in vitro for a period of time with preservation of stem cell characteristics. CGRP can stimulate epidermal stem cells to detach from their niche, break quiescence, and undergo division; β-catenin and c-myc may functionally be involved in the process.
authors.affiliation: Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Affiliated to Capital Medical University, Beijing, PR China.
authors.forename: Jie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dong
authors.forename: Yanling
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: He
authors.forename: Xiuying
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Tongzhu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Meng
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Yongqi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.forename: Man
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Qi
mesh_terms: D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D016259:Genes, myc; D006801:Humans; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000378:metabolism; D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D055153:Stem Cell Niche; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D010446:Peptide Fragments; D018003:Receptors, Calcitonin; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D051176:beta Catenin; C058636:calcitonin gene-related peptide (8-37); D015740:Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide