Interplay between epidermal stem cell dynamics and dermal deformations

TL;DR

This paper presents a particle-based model demonstrating how dermal deformations influence epidermal stem cell distribution, highlighting the role of cell adhesion in pattern formation on deformable skin substrates.

Contribution

The study introduces a novel particle-based model that links dermal deformations with stem cell patterning, emphasizing cell adhesion as a key factor.

Findings

Reproduces dermal papillae formation

Shows stem cell distribution on papillae tips

Highlights importance of cell adhesion strength

Abstract

We introduce a particle-based model of self-replicating cells on a deformable substrate composed of the dermis and the basement membrane and investigate the relationship between dermal deformations and stem cell pattering on it. We show that our model reproduces the formation of dermal papillae, protuberances directing from the dermis to the epidermis, and the preferential stem cell distributions on the tips of the dermal papillae, which the basic buckling mechanism fails to explain. We argue that cell-type-dependent adhesion strength of the cells to the basement membrane is crucial factors of these patterns.