A New Role for an Old Friend: NFAT and Stem Cell Quiescence

The study highlighted the role of the NFAT-calcineurin-CDK4 signaling pathway in maintaining hair follicle stem cell quiescence. NFAT proteins, regulated by calcium, were shown to be crucial in the timing and activation of various tissues, including hair follicles. The research demonstrated that NFATc1 specifically regulates hair follicle stem cell quiescence, with its absence leading to premature hair cycling. The study also connected NFAT signaling to BMP pathways, showing that BMP receptor loss affects NFAT accumulation in stem cells. Additionally, cyclosporine treatment was found to decrease NFATc1 nuclear levels, aligning with its mechanism of action. This work provided insights into hair cycling and suggested further exploration of calcium regulation and other pathways like Sonic hedgehog and Wnt in stem cell cycling.