Featured Articles

The heterogeneity of megakaryocytes and platelets and implications for ex vivo platelet generation
Cuicui Liu, et al., STEM CELLS Translational Medicine

Megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets have much more diverse functions than previously appreciated, but the exact molecular and cellular features underlying the diverse functions remain largely unclear. This review summarizes the current findings of the functional and developmental heterogeneity of MKs and its potential link with platelet heterogeneity, providing new insights into the ex vivo platelet generation from human pluripotent stem cells and the future clinical treatment of related diseases.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor controls skin homeostasis, regeneration, and hair follicle cycling by adjusting epidermal stem cell function
Eva María Rico-Leo, et al., STEM CELLS

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) has novel roles in skin homeostasis, regeneration, and hair cycling by controlling epidermal stem cells (EpdSCs) functions. During hair growth, AhR deficiency delays entry into anagen likely through loss of the self-renewal capacity and multipotentiality of AhR−/− hair follicle EpdSCs. The authors reinforce the idea that AhR plays important roles in skin homeostasis and propose this receptor as a target for the treatment of cutaneous pathologies, skin lesions, and skin regeneration. The feasibility to manipulate the expression and/or activity of AhR in models that recapitulate the architecture of the epidermis provides an opportunity to validate selective molecular modulator useful in the treatment of skin pathologies.