Experimental dermatologyFeb 18, 2021

Stem and progenitor cells in the growth, maintenance, and diseases of oil glands

Longevity & Aging Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗OA ↗

Updated Apr 4, 2026

Abstract

Sebaceous glands are essential for skin health and are linked to skin disorders.

Sebaceous glands produce and release sebum, which lubricates and protects the skin.
Defective sebaceous glands are associated with skin conditions such as acne and seborrheic dermatitis.
Research has identified multiple stem cell pools that play roles in the formation and maintenance of sebaceous glands.
Recent advancements in imaging and stem cell models may enhance the understanding of sebaceous gland function.
Progress in cellular mechanisms related to sebaceous gland development could inform potential therapies for related skin disorders.

Simplified

Sebaceous glands (SGs), typically associated with hair follicles, are critical for the homeostasis and function of mammalian skin. The main physiological function of SGs is the production and holocrine secretion of sebum to lubricate and protect the skin. Defective SGs have been linked to a variety of skin disorders, including acne, seborrheic dermatitis and formation of sebaceous tumors. Thus, a better understanding how SGs are formed and maintained is important to unravel the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of SG pathologies and to find better and effective therapies. Over the last two decades, research has come a long way from the initial identification of skin epithelial stem cells to the isolation and functional characterization of multiple stem cell pools as well as a better understanding of their unique and complex activities that drive skin homeostasis and operate in skin pathologies. Here, we discuss recent progress in unravelling cellular mechanisms underlying SG development, homeostasis and sebaceous tumor formation and assess the role of stem and progenitor cells in controlling SG physiology and disease processes. The development of elegant in vivo imaging as well as various in vitro and ex vivo stem cell and SG tissue models will advance mechanistic studies on SG function and allow drug screening and testing for efficient and successful targeting SG pathologies.

Full Text

Full text is available at the source.

View Full Text ↗

Stem and progenitor cells in the growth, maintenance, and diseases of oil glands

Abstract

Full Text

You found one interesting study. We’ll send the next 7.

what lands in your inbox each week:

Recent issues from the longevity & aging brief