Integrin-linked kinase regulates the niche of quiescent epidermal stem cells

Jessica Morgner, Sushmita Ghatak, Tobias Jakobi, Christoph Dieterich, Monique Aumailley and Sara A. Wickström ()
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Jessica Morgner: Paul Gerson Unna Group ‘Skin Homeostasis and Ageing’, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing
Sushmita Ghatak: Paul Gerson Unna Group ‘Skin Homeostasis and Ageing’, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing
Tobias Jakobi: Computational RNA Biology and Ageing, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing
Christoph Dieterich: Computational RNA Biology and Ageing, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing
Monique Aumailley: Center for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, University of Cologne
Sara A. Wickström: Paul Gerson Unna Group ‘Skin Homeostasis and Ageing’, Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing

Nature Communications, 2015, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-15

Abstract: Abstract Stem cells reside in specialized niches that are critical for their function. Quiescent hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are confined within the bulge niche, but how the molecular composition of the niche regulates stem cell behaviour is poorly understood. Here we show that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) is a key regulator of the bulge extracellular matrix microenvironment, thereby governing the activation and maintenance of HFSCs. ILK mediates deposition of inverse laminin (LN)-332 and LN-511 gradients within the basement membrane (BM) wrapping the hair follicles. The precise BM composition tunes activities of Wnt and transforming growth factor-β pathways and subsequently regulates HFSC activation. Notably, reconstituting an optimal LN microenvironment restores the altered signalling in ILK-deficient cells. Aberrant stem cell activation in ILK-deficient epidermis leads to increased replicative stress, predisposing the tissue to carcinogenesis. Overall, our findings uncover a critical role for the BM niche in regulating stem cell activation and thereby skin homeostasis.

Date: 2015
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms9198

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