Nick Barker

1 month ago | nature.com | Jinming Cheng |Fusheng Guo |Felicity C. Jackling |Jicheng Yang |Jonathan Tan |Nick Barker | +14 more

Hair follicles cycle through expansion, regression and quiescence. To investigate the role of MCL‑1, a BCL‑2 family protein with anti‑apoptotic and apoptosis‑unrelated functions, we delete Mcl‑1 within the skin epithelium using constitutive and inducible systems. Constitutive Mcl‑1 deletion does not impair hair follicle organogenesis but leads to gradual hair loss and elimination of hair follicle stem cells. Acute Mcl‑1 deletion rapidly depletes activated hair follicle stem cells and completely blocks depilation‑induced hair regeneration in adult mice, while quiescent hair follicle stem cells remain unaffected. Single‑cell RNA‑seq profiling reveals the engagement of P53 and DNA mismatch repair signaling in hair follicle stem cells upon depilation‑induced activation. Trp53 deletion rescues hair regeneration defects caused by acute Mcl‑1 deletion, highlighting a critical interplay between P53 and MCL‑1 in balancing proliferation and death. The ERBB pathway plays a central role in sustaining the survival of adult activated hair follicle stem cells by promoting MCL‑1 protein expression. Remarkably, the loss of a single Bak allele, a pro‑apoptotic Bcl‑2 effector gene, rescues Mcl‑1 deletion‑induced defects in both hair follicles and mammary glands. These findings demonstrate the pivotal role of MCL‑1 in inhibiting proliferation stress‑induced apoptosis when quiescent stem cells activate to fuel tissue regeneration. Here the authors unveil the essential role of MCL-1 for adult hair follicle regeneration and inhibition of proliferation stress-induced apoptosis in mice. They also identify a P53/MCL-1/BAK axis balancing proliferation and death of activated hair follicle stem cells to ensure proper hair growth.

Dec 11, 2024 | cell.com | Haiyue Dang |Panpan Feng |Shuning Zhang |Lihua Peng |Shuli Xing |Yuchen Li | +7 more

Keywords maternal microbiota stem cells neurogenesis mTOR signaling development differentiation maternal metabolites short chain fatty acids fecal microbiota transplant child health Introduction The gut microbiota, a complex ecosystem of microbial communities residing in the gut, orchestrates an intricate interplay driving host physiology and organ functions.1 We and others have demonstrated that gut microbiome, the prokaryotic counterpart of “the holobiont,” regulates diverse physiological...

Aug 20, 2024 | nature.com | Nick Barker

AbstractThe existence and function of Lgr5+ cells within the developing esophagus remains unknown. Here, we document multiple discrete Lgr5+ populations in the developing mouse esophagus, predominantly within nascent epithelial and external muscle layers. Lgr5 expression initially emerges in the developing proximal embryonic epithelium, but progressively extends distally and persists within the distal epithelium of neonates.

Feb 27, 2024 | mondaq.com | Nick Barker

What has happened and where does it leave us? News last week confirmed that the proposed Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive ("CS3D") will face further delay after it was removed from the agenda for the meeting of EU ambassadors after it became clear that it was not expected to reach a majority among EU countries. A spokesperson for the Belgian government, which currently chairs the EU's Council grouping of member states, confirmed the plan to delay the vote.

Feb 7, 2024 | onfido.com | Nick Barker |Simon Horswell

How can companies balance the user experience with security? In this episode, Simon is joined by Vincent Guillevic, Director of Product Management and Head of The Fraud Lab at Onfido. They discuss the focus of The Fraud Lab and why it is needed, diving into the current fraud landscape and the future of fraud prevention. “The first mistake I see is that teams that are too siloed.