Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Qi Sun, Wendy Lee, Hai Hu, Tatsuya Ogawa, Sophie Leon, Ioanna Katehis, Chae Ho Lim, Makoto Takeo, Michael Cammer, M. Mark Taketo, Denise L. Gay, Sarah E. Millar and Mayumi Ito ()
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Qi Sun: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Wendy Lee: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Hai Hu: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Tatsuya Ogawa: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Sophie Leon: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Ioanna Katehis: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Chae Ho Lim: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Makoto Takeo: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Michael Cammer: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
M. Mark Taketo: Kyoto University Hospital–iACT, Kyoto University
Denise L. Gay: New York University Grossman School of Medicine
Sarah E. Millar: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Mayumi Ito: New York University Grossman School of Medicine

Nature, 2023, vol. 616, issue 7958, 774-782

Abstract: Abstract For unknow reasons, the melanocyte stem cell (McSC) system fails earlier than other adult stem cell populations1, which leads to hair greying in most humans and mice2,3. Current dogma states that McSCs are reserved in an undifferentiated state in the hair follicle niche, physically segregated from differentiated progeny that migrate away following cues of regenerative stimuli4–8. Here we show that most McSCs toggle between transit-amplifying and stem cell states for both self-renewal and generation of mature progeny, a mechanism fundamentally distinct from those of other self-renewing systems. Live imaging and single-cell RNA sequencing revealed that McSCs are mobile, translocating between hair follicle stem cell and transit-amplifying compartments where they reversibly enter distinct differentiation states governed by local microenvironmental cues (for example, WNT). Long-term lineage tracing demonstrated that the McSC system is maintained by reverted McSCs rather than by reserved stem cells inherently exempt from reversible changes. During ageing, there is accumulation of stranded McSCs that do not contribute to the regeneration of melanocyte progeny. These results identify a new model whereby dedifferentiation is integral to homeostatic stem cell maintenance and suggest that modulating McSC mobility may represent a new approach for the prevention of hair greying.

Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05960-6

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