Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2011, Vol. 15 ›› Issue (36): 6813-6816.doi: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-8225.2011.36.038

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Biological characteristics and application of epidermal stem cells

Lai Qi, Xiong Ai-bing   

  1. Department of Plastic Burn, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou  646000, Sichuan Province, China
  • Received:2011-03-20 Revised:2011-07-25 Online:2011-09-03 Published:2011-09-03
  • Contact: Xiong Ai-bing, Chief physician, Master’s supervisor, Department of Plastic Burn, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China
  • About author:Lai Qi★, Studying for master’s degree, Physician, Department of Plastic Burn, Affiliated Hospital of Luzhou Medical College, Luzhou 646000, Sichuan Province, China czechslovakia@163.com
  • Supported by:

    the Science and Technology Research Project of Sichuan Health Bureau, No. 072071*

Abstract:

BACKGROUND: To remove the necrotic tissue of the wound surfaces as early as possible, and rebuild the structure and function of skin is the ultimate therapeutic target of extensive deep burn. Epidermal stem cell as a specific stem cell in skin tissue has its incontestable potentials.
OBJECTIVE: To review the research status on biological characteristics and application of epidermal stem cells in recent years.
METHODS: An online search of PubMed database was performed using key words of “epidermal stem cells, basic study” for articles published between January 2000 and October 2010, and the language was limited to English. In the meantime, a computer search for Wanfang database was conducted using key words of “epidermal stem cells” for articles between January 2005 and October 2010, and the language was limited to Chinese. A total of 271 literatures were screened out, and finally 38 articles were included.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Epidermal stem cells are a kind of cells which have the potential of multi-directional differentiation, self-renewal and proliferation. Epidermal stem cells have the typical characteristics of long periodicity in vivo, capacity to easily adhere to skin basement membrane. The proliferation and differentiation of epidermal stem cells is regulated by Wnt signaling pathway,c-Myc proto-oncogene, and Notch signaling pathway. Currently, there are no specific markers of epidermal stem cells generally acknowledged. Epidermal stem cells can be explored in wound repair, gene therapy and tissue engineering. As the study getting intensive, epidermal stem cells will provide a new approach in the skin basic research, rehabilitation of wound function and skin heredopathia therapy.

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