Stretching the limits: From homeostasis to stem cell plasticity in wound healing and cancer

Yejing Ge, Elaine Fuchs

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

111 Scopus citations

Abstract

Stem cells (SCs) govern tissue homeostasis and wound repair. They reside within niches, the special microenvironments within tissues that control SC lineage outputs. Upon injury or stress, new signals emanating from damaged tissue can divert nearby cells into adopting behaviours that are not part of their homeostatic repertoire. This behaviour, known as SC plasticity, typically resolves as wounds heal. However, in cancer, it can endure. Recent studies have yielded insights into the orchestrators of maintenance and lineage commitment for SCs belonging to three mammalian tissues: the haematopoietic system, the skin epithelium and the intestinal epithelium. We delineate the multifactorial determinants and general principles underlying the remarkable facets of SC plasticity, which lend promise for regenerative medicine and cancer therapeutics.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)311-325
Number of pages15
JournalNature Reviews Genetics
Volume19
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - May 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Molecular Biology
  • Genetics
  • Genetics(clinical)

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