Publications by authors named "Asako Nakagawa"
Inter-tissue interaction is fundamental to multicellularity. Although the basement membrane (BM) is located at tissue interfaces, its mode of action in inter-tissue interactions remains poorly understood, mainly because the molecular and structural details of the BM at distinct inter-tissue interfaces remain unclear. By combining quantitative transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry, we systematically identify the cellular origin, molecular identity and tissue distribution of extracellular matrix molecules in mouse hair follicles, and reveal that BM composition and architecture are exquisitely specialized for distinct inter-tissue interactions, including epithelial-fibroblast, epithelial-muscle and epithelial-nerve interactions.
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- This research investigates the diverse roles of compartmentalized epidermal stem cells in the mouse hair follicle, particularly in forming tactile sensory units.
- These stem cells express specific genes related to extracellular matrix (ECM) and neurogenesis, and they produce a unique ECM protein called EGFL6, which is essential for the structure and function of mechanosensory complexes.
- By preserving the original stem cell niche, these epidermal stem cells create stable connections between the hair follicle and the nervous system, maintaining their roles during hair regeneration cycles.