Hair follicle nestin-GFP-expressing cells in the telogen phase of
nestin-GFP transgenic mouse skin. The skin sample was prepared freshly right
after excision from the back skin of a nestin-GFP transgenic mouse. The skin
sample then was directly observed by fluorescence or confocal microscopy with
the dermis side up after s.c. tissue was dissected out. (a) Cartoon
of telogen hair follicle showing position of nestin-GFP-expressing hair
follicle stem cells. (a1) Low-magnification fluorescence microscopy
image showing the ring of bulge nestin-GFP-expressing stem cells (small white
box, see a). (a2) High-magnification confocal microscopy
image reflecting the small white box in a1. Note the small round- or
oval-shaped nestin-GFP-expressing cells in the bulge area of the hair follicle
(small red box). (a3) High-magnification fluorescence microscopy
image showing two individual nestin-GFP-expressing stem cells reflecting the
red box in a2. Note the unique morphology of the hair follicle stem
cells and multiple dendrite-like structures of each cell. Red arrows indicate
the cell body, and red arrowheads show the multiple dendritic structure of
each cell. (Original magnifications: a1, ×100; a2,
×400; a3, ×1,600.) SG, sebaceous gland; EP,
epidermis.