CD49fhigh Defines a Distinct Skin Mesenchymal Stem Cell Population Capable of Hair Follicle Epithelial Cell Maintenance

Abstract

The dermis harbors distinct mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) populations, which play equally important roles as epidermal stem cells in skin homeostasis and regeneration. However, to reliably identify and directly isolate the in vivo counterpart of these cells is still challenging. Using the epidermal stem cell marker CD49f, we defined a CD49f^high distinct mesenchymal subpopulation in the dermis. In vitro and in vivo differentiation assays, and transcriptome analysis demonstrated that CD49f^high cells possess neural crest-like cell characteristics. Our results showed that the formation of hair follicle-like budding structure and the expressions of key genes regulating hair follicle development were induced when hair follicle epithelial cells were co-cultured with CD49f^high cells. We also found that CD49f^high cells activated Notch signaling in co-cultured hair follicle epithelial cells, whereas the inhibition of Notch signaling resulted in epidermal cyst-like spheres and loss of maintenance of hair follicle epithelial cell characteristics. Furthermore, we identified Itga7 and CD49f as an efficient biomarker panel for direct selection of CD49f^high skin MSCs. Our results lead to a deeper understanding of heterogeneity and the function of MSCs in the skin and may facilitate potential translational applications of these cells.