Lgr6 Marks Stem Cells in the Hair Follicle that Generate all Cell Lineages of the Skin

ABSTRACT: Mammalian epidermis consists of three self-renewing compartments: the hair follicle, sebaceous gland and interfollicular epidermis. We generated knock-in alleles of murine Lgr6, a close relative to the Lgr5 stem cell gene. Lgr6 was expressed in the earliest embryonic hair placodes. In adult hair follicles, Lgr6+ cells resided in a previously uncharacterized region directly above the follicle bulge. They expressed none of the known bulge stem cell markers. Prenatal Lgr6+ cells established the hair follicle, sebaceous gland and interfollicular epidermis. Postnatally, Lgr6+ cells generated sebaceous gland and interfollicular epidermis, while contribution to hair lineages gradually diminished with age. Adult Lgr6+ cells executed long-term wound repair, including the formation of new hair follicles. We conclude that Lgr6 marks the most primitive epidermal stem cell.

ORGANISM(S): Mus musculus

PROVIDER: GSE20269 | GEO | 2010/03/26

SECONDARY ACCESSION(S): PRJNA124133

REPOSITORIES: GEO