Fig. 6: Tp63-expressing epithelial stem cells can cross lineage boundaries when exposed to a hairy skin microenvironment. | Nature Communications

Fig. 6: Tp63-expressing epithelial stem cells can cross lineage boundaries when exposed to a hairy skin microenvironment.

From: Tp63-expressing adult epithelial stem cells cross lineages boundaries revealing latent hairy skin competence

Fig. 6

a Tp63-expressing epithelial stem cells can be classified in three groups depending on their response to skin morphogenetic signals. This response is independent of the embryonic origin. Group 1 includes stem cells that can behave like bona fide hair follicle multipotent stem cells in absence of manipulation (cell culture). This may explain why the formation of aberrant hair follicles and of dermoid cysts is mostly observed in tissues lined by a squamous epithelium. Group 2 includes stem cells that can generate epidermal appendages but only after cell culture (needs unmasking). Group 3 includes stem cells that can only form an epidermis-like squamous epithelium (squamous metaplasia) in response to cell culture. b A microenvironment specific for each tissue determines the fate of a Tp63-expressing epithelial stem cell and it can be overridden by a hairy skin microenvironment.

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