Microenvironmental regulation of the tissue regenerative capacity of keratinocyte stem cells and their progeny.

Funded Activity Summary

The protective outer layers of the skin known as the epidermis belongs to a group of tissues in the body that are turning over at a rapid rate. The majority ofepidermal cells have a lifespan of just 2-3 weeks, and are shed as mature cells from the skin's surface. These cells are replaced by continuous cell regeneration which is dependent on growth factors and adhesive molecules (and other signals). It has recently come to light that the connective tissue of the skin i.e. the dermis, which lies directly below the epidermal cells has a critical role in providing some of these factors required for their growth and maturation. Indeed, it is becoming increasingly clear that the epidermal and dermal cells co-operate to regulate epidermal proliferation and maturation. Recent work from our laboratory has shown that a newly recognised adhesive protein laminin-10 may be produced as the result of such co-operation and that it stimulates the growth of both normal and tumour epidermal cells. We have also recently identified an interesting subset of dermal cells that may have a role in promoting the growth of the epidermal cells. Thus, the aims of the proposed stuides are to investigate the role of laminin-10 and this specific dermal cell subset in epidermal proliferation and maturation. These studies may also provide an insight into the role of these factors in skin cancers.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2003

End Date: 01-01-2005

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $391,762.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Food properties (incl. characteristics and health benefits)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

dermatology | epidermis | epithelial function | epithelial morphogenesis | extracellular matrix | mesenchymal signals | microenvironment | wound healing

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