Transcriptional Profiling of Putative Human Epithelial Stem Cells

This study provided a comprehensive transcriptional profile of putative human epithelial stem cells, specifically α6+/MHCI- cells, isolated from neonatal foreskin tissue. These cells, presumed to be interfollicular stem cells, showed enrichment in mRNAs for surface receptors and cell adhesion molecules, while exhibiting lower levels of transcripts related to energy metabolism and cell cycle processes. The study found that α6+/MHCI- cells had higher proliferative potential in culture compared to α6+/MHCI+ cells, with a 38-fold increase in colony forming efficiency. Notably, the Notch1 and NF-κB signaling pathways were downregulated, and TGF-β/BMP signaling was enriched, suggesting a role in maintaining stem cell quiescence. The findings provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of stem cell maintenance and differentiation, with potential implications for skin disorders and hair follicle biology.