Characterization of Sebaceous Gland Stem Cell Illuminates a Strategy for Maintaining Skin Oil Balance [CUT&Run]

Strikingly, we developed an inducible KROX20-positive cell ablation mouse that rapidly and robustly develops develop systemic dry flakey alopecia symptoms upon induction, named as Xeroflacia (Xero = xerosis, fla = flakey, cia = alopecia), representing a new mouse model to study the biological of dry skin and dry skin-associated alopecia. Furthermore, by characterizing genes regulated by KROX20, we unveiled that KROX20 directly modulates Notch1 transcription to orchestrate the balance between SG stem cell self-renewal and differentiation, and manipulation of Notch1 signaling provides a potential approach for topical treatment with Notch1 signaling inhibitor or activator to regulate skin oiliness and dryness.

Collectively, KROX20 is indispensable for maintaining stemness of SG resident stem cells, enabling natural resilience against functional decline of SGs, and topical modulation of Krox20-Notch1 signaling offers a potential strategy to maintain skin oil balance.