Lgr6 marks stem cells in the hair follicle that generate all cell lineages of the skin

Science. 2010 Mar 12;327(5971):1385-9. doi: 10.1126/science.1184733.

Abstract

Mammalian epidermis consists of three self-renewing compartments: the hair follicle, the sebaceous gland, and the interfollicular epidermis. We generated knock-in alleles of murine Lgr6, a close relative of 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, whereas 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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Lineage*
  • Epidermal Cells
  • Gene Expression Profiling
  • Gene Knock-In Techniques
  • Hair / cytology
  • Hair / embryology
  • Hair / growth & development
  • Hair Follicle / cytology*
  • Hair Follicle / embryology
  • Hair Follicle / growth & development
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / genetics*
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Sebaceous Glands / cytology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Skin / cytology*
  • Stem Cell Transplantation
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Wound Healing

Substances

  • Lgr5 protein, mouse
  • Lgr6 protein, mouse
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE20269