Sweat gland progenitors in development, homeostasis, and wound repair.
The human body is covered with several million sweat glands. These tiny coiled tubular skin appendages produce the sweat that is our primary source of cooling and hydration of the skin. Numerous studies have been published on their morphology and physiology. Until recently, however, little was known about how glandular skin maintains homeostasis and repairs itself after tissue injury. Here, we provide a brief overview of sweat gland biology, including newly identified reservoirs of stem cells in glandular skin and their activation in response to different types of injuries. Finally, we discuss how the genetics and biology of glandular skin has advanced our knowledge of human disorders associated with altered sweat gland activity.
Laboratory of Mammalian Cell Biology and Development, The Rockefeller University, New York, New York 10065.
Catherine
C
Lu
Elaine
E
Fuchs
D001050:Apocrine Glands / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000502:physiology*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D012867:Skin / Q000293:injuries; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D013543:Sweat Gland Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*