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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2008 May 30.
Published in final edited form as: Nature. 2007 Feb 22;445(7130):834–842. doi: 10.1038/nature05659

Figure 6. Models of how epidermal homeostasis might be achieved.

Figure 6

Symmetric and asymmetric cell division have been observed in the epidermis, and both are likely to contribute to epidermal homeostasis. Models of how they might do so are shown. Both are predicated on the basis of cellular attachment to an underlying basement membrane providing the main means by which basal epidermal progenitor cells are able to preserve their mitotic capability. a, Symmetric division is thought to supply new cells through stratification (the formation of layers) and differentiation by delamination (the detachment of a cell from the basement membrane). b, Asymmetric division is believed to contribute through stratification and differentiation by asymmetric partitioning of cellular contents into the two daughter cells.