Toward understanding regulatory mechanisms of stem cell homeostasis in hair follicles by in vivo imaging

2014 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 25893289
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Research Activity Start-up
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Field: Dermatology
• Research Institution: The Institute of Physical and Chemical Research
• Principal Investigator: MORITA Ritsuko 独立行政法人理化学研究所, 多細胞システム形成研究センター, 研究員 (20700040)
• Project Period (FY): 2013-08-30 – 2015-03-31
• Keywords: in vivo imaging

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to maintain stem cells as a lifelong reservoir, the stem cell system needs to be resistant against the external or internal stress robustly. In this study, I have established in vivo live imaging system that allows us to capture the stem cell dynamics during hair regeneration process continuously or intermittently. I removed the certain stem cell populations by laser ablation and traced the repair process by the intermittent live imaging. The day after ablation, cell influx from the adjacent area occurred and the ablated region was filled up within 6 days, recovering marker gene expression. This analysis suggests that stem cell fate can be changed reversibly for keeping the ratio of stem cell populations robustly. These analyses will enable us to understand the physiological behaviour, heterogeneity, hierarchy and plasticity of hair follicle stem cells in the relationship with their microenvironment.

Free Research Field

幹細胞生物学