Stem cell-like cells from human skin

Researchers investigating how stem cells can be used to regenerate dental tissue have discovered a way to produce cells with stem cell-like characteristics from the most common type of human skin cell in the epidermis . These skin cells, called keratinocytes, form the outermost layer of skin and can be cultured from discarded skin tissues or biopsy specimens. The findings, published in the Nov. 4 edition of the peer-reviewed Journal of Biological Chemistry , may be beneficial for individuals with limited sources of endogenous stem cells. The gene known as 'Np63α is highly synthesized in regenerating cells of various tissues. The UCLA researchers found that introducing 'Np63α into skin keratinocytes makes them lose their skin-cell characteristics and de-differentiate to resemble mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), undifferentiated cells that can self-renew and differentiate to yield specialized cells of various tissue types. MSCs may serve as an internal repair system by replenishing cells needed for tissue regeneration and homeostasis and are currently being investigated for a number of regenerative therapeutics.