TitleMicroRNA-205 promotes hair regeneration by modulating mechanical properties of hair follicle stem cells.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2023
AuthorsWang J, Fu Y, Huang W, Biswas R, Banerjee A, Broussard JA, Zhao Z, Wang D, Bjerke G, Raghavan S, Yan J, Green KJ, Yi R
JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
Volume120
Issue22
Paginatione2220635120
Date Published2023 May 30
ISSN1091-6490
KeywordsActomyosin, Animals, Hair, Hair Follicle, Mice, MicroRNAs, Stem Cells
Abstract

Stiffness and actomyosin contractility are intrinsic mechanical properties of animal cells required for the shaping of tissues. However, whether tissue stem cells (SCs) and progenitors located within SC niche have different mechanical properties that modulate their size and function remains unclear. Here, we show that hair follicle SCs in the bulge are stiff with high actomyosin contractility and resistant to size change, whereas hair germ (HG) progenitors are soft and periodically enlarge and contract during quiescence. During activation of hair follicle growth, HGs reduce contraction and more frequently enlarge, a process that is associated with weakening of the actomyosin network, nuclear YAP accumulation, and cell cycle reentry. Induction of , a novel regulator of the actomyosin cytoskeleton, reduces actomyosin contractility and activates hair regeneration in young and old mice. This study reveals the control of tissue SC size and activities by spatiotemporally compartmentalized mechanical properties and demonstrates the possibility to stimulate tissue regeneration by fine-tuning cell mechanics.

DOI10.1073/pnas.2220635120
Alternate JournalProc Natl Acad Sci U S A
PubMed ID37216502
PubMed Central IDPMC10235966
Grant ListP30 AR057216 / AR / NIAMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 AR043380 / AR / NIAMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 AR066703 / AR / NIAMS NIH HHS / United States
R01 AR071435 / AR / NIAMS NIH HHS / United States