Adult stem cells articles from across Nature Portfolio

He et al. characterizes a role of microcephalin (MCPH1), a known regulator of DNA damage response, in hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) aging demonstrating nuclear MCPH1 translocation that leads to activation of necroptosis and deterioration of HSC function with age.

The cellular atlas of Pristina leidyi reveals cell type diversity in adult annelids by single cell transcriptomics, discovering several novel cell types and suggesting a pluripotent stem cell signature associated with adult cell type differentiation

Antibody-mediated depletion of myeloid-biased haematopoietic stem cells in aged mice restores characteristic features of a more youthful immune system.

The mechanisms underlying cell plasticity remain poorly understood. Here, Guo et.al discover that intestinal cells in the fly gut can alter their fates through the loss of a single gene, and identify several molecular barriers to cell reprogramming.

In this Tools of the Trade article, Lei Yuan (from the Cai lab) highlights a new culture system that allows in vitro reconstitution of a dynamic miniature mammary gland.

Lineage transitions are a central feature of prostate development, tumorigenesis and treatment resistance. We discovered that inhibition of mitochondrial pyruvate uptake results in large-scale chromatin remodelling of key lineage-specific genes, antagonizes luminal lineage identity, and alters response to antiandrogen therapy in prostate cancer.

Pioneer transcription factors bind closed chromatin regions, alter local accessibility and activate target genes. A study reveals that the SOX9 transcription factor drives cell fate switching by activating hair follicle cell enhancers, while simultaneously repressing epidermal enhancers via sequestration of epigenetic factors.

Pancreatic islet cell replacement therapy is a promising strategy for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus, but the scarcity of organ donors and need for immunosuppression hamper its wide application. Huang and colleagues developed an efficient method to redirect the fate of primary human gastric stem cells, generated from stomach tissue, towards insulin-producing β-cells.

Adipogenesis of adipose progenitor cells is considered metabolically beneficial. Two laboratories have simultaneously discovered that adipose progenitors also give rise to structural WNT-regulated adipose tissue-resident (SWAT) cells during adipogenesis to maintain the progenitor pool.

A new study collaboratively delivered by Valentina Greco’s and Smita Krishnaswamy’s labs provides new insight into patterns of calcium signalling in epithelial tissues using intravital imaging of the basal layer of the mouse epidermis.