Keeping the Epidermal Stem Cell Niche in Shape Ramiro Iglesias-Bartolome, J. Silvio Gutkind  Cell Stem Cell  Volume 7, Issue 2, Pages 143-145 (August 2010) DOI: 10.1016/j.stem.2010.07.008 Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Epithelial Stem cells Use Mechanosensing Networks Controlled by Integrin-Cytoskeletal Interactions to Perceive Microenvironmental Changes in Their Niche An exquisite balance between microenvironmental cues and cell autonomous signals is required to preserve the self-renewal and tissue regenerative capacity of epithelial stem cells. In the example depicted, altered biophysical conditions in the stem cell niche imposed by the restricted spreading of stem cells on the extracellular matrix (ECM) induces the activation of cell differentiation programs, causing cells to exit the stem cell pool (Connelly et al., 2010). The demise of stem cells by differentiation may protect this cell pool from hyperproliferation and malignant conversion. On the other hand, stem cell depletion by the aberrant activation of cell differentiation programs can contribute to reduce tissue regenerative capacity and accelerated aging. Cell Stem Cell 2010 7, 143-145DOI: (10.1016/j.stem.2010.07.008) Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions