Single-Cell Transcriptomics of Traced Epidermal and Hair Follicle Stem Cells Reveals Rapid Adaptations During Wound Healing

The study used single-cell transcriptomics to explore how Lgr5 and Lgr6 stem cells in mouse skin adapted during wound healing. It was found that Lgr5 progeny, initially in the hair follicle bulge, rapidly adapted to wound signals by adopting an interfollicular epidermis (IFE)-like signature within 1 day of wounding, allowing them to interact with the wound environment. In contrast, Lgr6 progeny, already in the IFE, were primed to respond to wound signals even before injury. The research highlighted the cellular plasticity of these stem cells and provided insights into their molecular adaptations during wound healing, emphasizing the importance of rapid transcriptional changes for effective wound repair. The study analyzed 1,873 cells, identifying 106 Lgr5TOM cells as potential wound cells, and revealed five distinct wound cell states.