Self-Organizing and Stochastic Behaviors During the Regeneration of Hair Stem Cells

Stem cells cycle through active and quiescent states. Large populations of stem cells in an organ may cycle randomly or in a coordinated manner. Although stem cell cycling within single hair follicles has been studied, less is known about regenerative behavior in a hair follicle population. By combi...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 2011-04, Vol.332 (6029), p.586-589
Main Authors: Plikus, Maksim V., Baker, Ruth E., Chen, Chih-Chiang, Fare, Clyde, de la Cruz, Damon, Andl, Thomas, Maini, Philip K., Millar, Sarah E., Widelitz, Randall, Chuong, Cheng-Ming
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Automata
Biological and medical sciences
Blood coagulation. Blood cells
Bone Morphogenetic Proteins - metabolism
Cell cycle
Cell growth
Computer Simulation
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
General aspects, investigation methods, hemostasis, fibrinolysis
Hair
Hair Follicle - cytology
Hair Follicle - growth & development
Hair Follicle - metabolism
Hair follicles
Human organs
Ligands
Mathematical Models
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Transgenic
Modeling
Models, Biological
Molecular and cellular biology
Rabbits
Regeneration
Rodents
Signal Transduction
Skin
Stem cells
Stem Cells - physiology
Stochastic Processes
Wnt Proteins - metabolism
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Summary:Stem cells cycle through active and quiescent states. Large populations of stem cells in an organ may cycle randomly or in a coordinated manner. Although stem cell cycling within single hair follicles has been studied, less is known about regenerative behavior in a hair follicle population. By combining predictive mathematical modeling with in vivo studies in mice and rabbits, we show that a follicle progresses through cycling stages by continuous integration of inputs from intrinsic follicular and extrinsic environmental signals based on universal patterning principles. Signaling from the WNT/bone morphogenetic protein activator/inhibitor pair is coopted to mediate interactions among follicles in the population. This regenerative strategy is robust and versatile because relative activator/inhibitor strengths can be modulated easily, adapting the organism to different physiological and evolutionary needs.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.1201647