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DNA Methylation as an Epigenetic Memory Keeper during Skin Development and Regeneration

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Epigenetic Regulation of Skin Development and Regeneration

Part of the book series: Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine ((STEMCELL))

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Abstract

DNA methylation is one of the best-characterized epigenetic modifications and plays indispensable roles in embryonic development and adult tissue regeneration. In the past decade, progress in epigenetics has advanced our understanding in the molecular basis of this process.

Recent work showed abnormal epidermal differentiation and hair regeneration following suppression of DNA methylation enzymes. Dynamic DNA Methylation studies revealed hierarchies of DNA methylation and regulation of gene expression. Combining these advances has enabled us to gain more understanding of DNA methylation in the regulation of skin biology. Here, we review the known roles of DNA methylation in skin development and regeneration, focusing on embryonic skin lineage commitments and the maintenance of skin homoeostasis, as well as wound healing and regeneration. New directions and potential therapeutic targets are highlighted.

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Abbreviations

5mC:

5-methylcytosine

aHF-SC:

active hair follicle stem cells

CpG:

cytosine and guanine separated by one phosphate

DMR:

differentially methylated region

Dnmt1/3a/3b:

DNA methyltransferase 1/3a/3b

HF:

hair follicle

IFE:

interfollicular epidermis

K14:

keratin 14

ORS:

outer root sheath

qHF-SC:

quiescent hair follicle stem cells

TAC:

transient-amplifying matrix cells

Tet:

Ten-eleven translocation methylcytosine dioxygenase

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Acknowledgments

We thank the Chuong lab members for their critical review of the manuscript and discussion. We thank the following funding sources: Dr. C.-M. Chuong and Dr. R.B. Widelitz are supported by National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases grants RO1-AR47364 and -AR60306; Dr. Y.-C. Liang is supported by the Overseas Postdoctoral Program for Frontier Technologies (102-2917-I-564-002-A1), the Ministry of Science and Technology, Taiwan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Pathology, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

    Ya-Chen Liang, Randall Widelitz & Cheng-Ming Chuong

  2. Integrative Stem Cell Center, China Medical University Hospital, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan

    Ya-Chen Liang & Cheng-Ming Chuong

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  1. Ya-Chen Liang
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  2. Randall Widelitz
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Correspondence to Cheng-Ming Chuong .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Centre for Skin Sciences, University of Bradford, Bradford, UK

    Vladimir A. Botchkarev

  2. Department of Dermatology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Sarah E. Millar

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Liang, YC., Widelitz, R., Chuong, CM. (2018). DNA Methylation as an Epigenetic Memory Keeper during Skin Development and Regeneration. In: Botchkarev, V., Millar, S. (eds) Epigenetic Regulation of Skin Development and Regeneration. Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine. Humana Press, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-16769-5_2

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