Expression Analysis of the Stem Cell Marker Pw1/Peg3 Reveals a CD34 Negative Progenitor Population in the Hair Follicle

Stem Cells. 2017 Apr;35(4):1015-1027. doi: 10.1002/stem.2540. Epub 2016 Nov 23.

Abstract

Pw1/Peg3 is a parentally imprinted gene expressed in adult stem cells in every tissue thus far examined including the stem cells of the hair follicle. Using a Pw1/Peg3 reporter mouse, we carried out a detailed dissection of the stem cells in the bulge, which is a major stem cell compartment of the hair follicle in mammalian skin. We observed that PW1/Peg3 expression initiates upon placode formation during fetal development, coincident with the establishment of the bulge stem cells. In the adult, we observed that PW1/Peg3 expression is found in both CD34+ and CD34- populations of bulge stem cells. We demonstrate that both populations can give rise to new hair follicles, reconstitute their niche, and self-renew. These results demonstrate that PW1/Peg3 is a reliable marker of the full population of follicle stem cells and reveal a novel CD34- bulge stem-cell population. Stem Cells 2017;35:1015-1027.

Keywords: Bulge stem cells; Cell cycle; Pw1/Peg3.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Aging / physiology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Antigens, CD34 / metabolism*
  • Biomarkers / metabolism
  • Cell Self Renewal
  • Cell Separation
  • Gene Expression
  • Genes, Reporter
  • Hair Follicle / cytology*
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Staining and Labeling
  • Stem Cell Niche
  • Stem Cells / cytology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Antigens, CD34
  • Biomarkers
  • Kruppel-Like Transcription Factors
  • Peg3 protein, mouse