Identification of a new sweat gland progenitor population in mice and the role of their niche in tissue development.
Sweat gland cells are responsible for the regulation of body temperature and are critical for wound repair. Furthermore, they have the regenerative potential in response to injury, and show a substantial turnover during both wound healing and homeostasis. However, as a usual research model of sweat gland, mice have not too much glandular cells for experiments. In this study, we identify previously unreported sweat gland progenitor population in mice and characterize them. The progenitor characteristics of sweat gland were confirmed using cellular immunofluorescence assay and quantitative real-time PCR assay. K8 and K18 expression was barely detected in the early stage of skin development (Embryo 17.5d) and increased to a high level at P5d (postnatal 5d), then showed reduction at adult stage (P28d). Further investigation of K8 and K18 positive cells using tissue immunofluorescence revealed the presence of sweat gland progenitors in back epidermis of mice at early stage of sweat gland development and continuous reduction during the developmental process. In vivo transplantation assay with animal models elucidated that sweat gland specific niche in paw pads was critical for the development of sweat gland cells. Although the relationship between new sweat gland progenitors and their niche still needs to be further investigated, the presence of these cells implicates that there is more source ascribed to sweat glands in addition to serving as progenitors in mice.
Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, PR China; School of Medicine, Nankai University, Tianjin 300052, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration of PLA, Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, First Hospital Affiliated to General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100048, PR China.
Bin
B
Yao
Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration of PLA, Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, First Hospital Affiliated to General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100048, PR China.
Jiangfan
J
Xie
Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
Nanbo
N
Liu
Chengdu Institute of Computer Applications, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, PR China.
Tao
T
Yan
Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, PR China.
Zhao
Z
Li
Southern Medical University, Guangzhou 510515, PR China.
Yufan
Y
Liu
Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration of PLA, Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, First Hospital Affiliated to General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100048, PR China. Electronic address: stellarahuang@sina.com.
Sha
S
Huang
Wound Healing and Cell Biology Laboratory, Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100853, PR China; Key Laboratory of Tissue Repair and Regeneration of PLA, Beijing Key Research Laboratory of Skin Injury, Repair and Regeneration, First Hospital Affiliated to General Hospital of PLA, Beijing 100048, PR China. Electronic address: fuxiaobing@vip.sina.com.
Xiaobing
X
Fu
D000818:Animals; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D002469:Cell Separation; D004439:Eccrine Glands / Q000737:chemistry / Q000166:cytology / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D000078404:Epidermal Cells; D004817:Epidermis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000196:embryology* / Q000502:physiology; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D053538:Keratin-18 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D053533:Keratin-8 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D023421:Models, Animal; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
D053538:Keratin-18; D053533:Keratin-8
Back epidermis; Niche; Sweat gland development; Sweat gland progenitors; Wound healing