Human epithelial stem cell survival within their niche requires "tonic" cannabinoid receptor 1-signalling-Lessons from the hair follicle

Exp Dermatol. 2021 Apr;30(4):479-493. doi: 10.1111/exd.14294. Epub 2021 Feb 26.

Abstract

The endocannabinoid system (ECS) regulates multiple aspects of human epithelial physiology, including inhibition/stimulation of keratinocyte proliferation/apoptosis, respectively. Yet, how the ECS impacts on human adult epithelial stem cell (eSC) functions remains unknown. Scalp hair follicles (HFs) offer a clinically relevant, prototypic model system for studying this directly within the native human stem cell niche. Here, we show in organ-cultured human HFs that, unexpectedly, selective activation of cannabinoid receptor-1 (CB1)-mediated signalling via the MAPK (MEK/Erk 1/2) and Akt pathways significantly increases the number and proliferation of cytokeratin CK15+ or CK19+ human HF bulge eSCs in situ, and enhances CK15 promoter activity in situ. In striking contrast, CB1-stimulation promotes apoptosis in the differentiated progeny of these eSCs (CK6+ HF keratinocytes). Instead, intrafollicular CB1 gene knockdown or CB1 antagonist treatment significantly reduces human HF eSCs numbers and stimulates their apoptosis, while CB1 knockout mice exhibit a reduced bulge eSCs pool in vivo. This identifies "tonic" CB1 signalling as a required survival stimulus for adult human HF eSCs within their niche. This novel concept must be taken into account whenever the human ECS is targeted therapeutically.

Keywords: cannabinoid receptor; epithelial stem cell; hair follicle; proliferation; survival.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis / physiology
  • Cell Survival / physiology*
  • Female
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Keratinocytes / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Middle Aged
  • Receptors, Cannabinoid / metabolism*
  • Stem Cell Niche / physiology*
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*

Substances

  • Receptors, Cannabinoid