研究人员测试了干细胞是否拥有和积累不同经历的记忆，以及其后果如何。研究人员监测了对伤口的反应，发现当毛囊干细胞离开它们的微环境，迁移到修复受损的表皮，并在那里长期定居，它们对每一次经历都积累了持久的表观遗传记忆，最终在修复后的表观遗传适应中维持表皮的转录程序和表面屏障。每个记忆都是不同的，可分离的，并有其自身的生理影响，从而共同赋予这些干细胞高度的再生能力来愈合伤口，并扩大它们的组织再生任务。
据介绍，免疫和组织干细胞保留了炎症的表观遗传记忆，加强了对未来遭遇的敏感性。
附：英文原文
Title: Stem cells expand potency and alter tissue fitness by accumulating diverse epigenetic memories
Author: Kevin Andrew Uy Gonzales, Lisa Polak, Irina Matos, Matthew T. Tierney, Anita Gola, Ellen Wong, Nicole R. Infarinato, Maria Nikolova, Shijing Luo, Siqi Liu, Jesse S. S. Novak, Kenneth Lay, Hilda Amalia Pasolli, Elaine Fuchs
Issue&Volume: 2021-11-26
Abstract: Immune and tissue stem cells retain an epigenetic memory of inflammation that intensifies sensitivity to future encounters. We investigated whether and to what consequence stem cells possess and accumulate memories of diverse experiences. Monitoring a choreographed response to wounds, we found that as hair follicle stem cells leave their niche, migrate to repair damaged epidermis, and take up long-term foreign residence there, they accumulate long-lasting epigenetic memories of each experience, culminating in post-repair epigenetic adaptations that sustain the epidermal transcriptional program and surface barrier. Each memory is distinct, separable, and has its own physiological impact, collectively endowing these stem cells with heightened regenerative ability to heal wounds and broadening their tissue-regenerating tasks relative to their nave counterparts.
DOI: abh2444
Source: https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abh2444