The interfollicular epidermal stem cell saga: sensationalism versus reality check.

Adult stem cells in rapidly renewing tissues have been classically defined as rare, relatively quiescent cells with the unique capacity to constantly self-renew and regenerate tissues during homeostasis. Although this view remains firmly embedded in the skin field, particularly in the area of hair follicle stem cell biology, it has been challenged by a number of notable publications in 2007. These papers leave an uncomfortable feeling with the reader if one believes that stem cells and transit amplifying cells are two polar opposites and 'never the twain shall meet.' Even if you do not subscribe to this extreme view, the implications appear to be far-reaching given that the majority of techniques devised for stem cell identification have used the fundamental tenet that the proliferating compartment is comprised of two distinct, mutually exclusive compartments, i.e. a minor proportion of long-lived quiescent stem cells with unlimited self-renewal and a large pool of rapidly cycling, short-lived transient amplifying cells with limited or no self-renewal capacity in normal steady-state conditions. However, these recent findings have resulted in papers that could be described as sensationalistic because they make little or no attempt to reconcile their observations with the large bulk of historical data with direct bearing on the interpretation of stem cell activity in normal steady-state conditions. Here, we offer some explanations that may help to integrate all of the data while presenting a case that both quiescent stem cells and cycling 'transit amplifying' cells contribute to epidermal replacement.