Skin Stem Cells and the Tumor Microenvironment: Niche Regulation in Health and Cancer

This Research Topic explores the crucial role of stem cell–niche interactions in skin regeneration, homeostasis, and cancer. Skin stem cells, and particularly those located in the hair follicle and epidermis, depend on dynamic signaling with their local environment, including mesenchymal, immune, endothelial, melanocyte, and adipocyte populations. These interactions are key for maintaining tissue integrity and mounting responses to injury.Disruptions in these pathways, whether from genetic mutations, environmental challenges, or aging, can lead to shifts from normal tissue repair toward tumor initiation and malignant progression. In this collection of articles we aim to highlight research that examines the molecular, cellular, and microenvironmental mechanisms governing this balance. We have a special interest in how alterations in niche signaling contribute to various forms of skin cancer and the potential for interventions that restore healthy stem cell function. By advancing our understanding of these mechanisms, this collection seeks to inform new therapeutic strategies for skin regeneration and cancer prevention. Topic editors: Sangeeta Ghuwalewala, Raghunath Chatterjee, Kefei Li Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/72356/skin-stem-cells-and-the-tumor-microenvironment-niche-regulation-in-health-and-cancer