Label-Free Raman Imaging Defines Distinct Cell Populations in Human Skin.
7 affiliations
- 1Institute for Advanced Research of Biosystem Dynamics, Waseda Research Institute for Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.
- 2Research Organization for Nano and Life Innovation, Waseda University, 513 Wasedatsurumaki-Cho, Shinjuku-Ku, Tokyo 162-0041, Japan.
- 3National Defense Medical College, 3-2 Namiki, Tokorozawa, Saitama 359-8513, Japan.
- 4Division of Skin Regeneration and Aging, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
- 5International Research Center for Medical Sciences, Kumamoto University, 2-2-1 Honjo, Chuo-ku, Kumamoto 860-0811, Japan.
- 6Department of Life Science and Medical Bioscience, Waseda University, 2-2 Wakamatsu-cho, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 162-8480, Japan.
- 7Department of Advanced Science Engineering, Graduate School of Advanced Science and Engineering, Waseda University, 3-4-1 Okubo, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.
Abstract
Understanding cellular heterogeneity in human skin is crucial for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In this study, we applied label-free Raman imaging to visualize molecular features corresponding to the three-dimensional architecture of the epidermis. Spatially resolved Raman spectra, combined with multivariate data analysis, enabled the identification of cell-layer-specific molecular signatures. Based on the region-specific spectra analysis, component C5 was predominantly localized to the basal layer within rete ridges and was characterized by β-sheet-enriched keratin features. This spatially restricted distribution reflects the molecular microenvironment of epidermal stem cell niches, suggesting that C5 may serve as a biomarker for basal stem cell populations associated with skin undulations. These findings provide insight into the molecular basis of epidermal architecture and demonstrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a label-free tool for evaluating stem cell localization and differentiation status.
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BibTeX
@article{sugiyama2026labelfree,
title = {{Label-Free Raman Imaging Defines Distinct Cell Populations in Human Skin.}},
author = {Kaori Sugiyama and Masahiro Ando and Mizuho Ishikawa and Aiko Sada and Haruko Takeyama},
journal = {Chemical \& biomedical imaging},
year = {2026},
month = may,
doi = {10.1021/cbmi.6c00030},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953695},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Label-Free Raman Imaging Defines Distinct Cell Populations in Human Skin.
AU - Kaori Sugiyama
AU - Masahiro Ando
AU - Mizuho Ishikawa
AU - Aiko Sada
AU - Haruko Takeyama
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/05/27
JO - Chemical & biomedical imaging
DO - 10.1021/cbmi.6c00030
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42953695
AB - Understanding cellular heterogeneity in human skin is crucial for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. In this study, we applied label-free Raman imaging to visualize molecular features corresponding to the three-dimensional architecture of the epidermis. Spatially resolved Raman spectra, combined with multivariate data analysis, enabled the identification of cell-layer-specific molecular signatures. Based on the region-specific spectra analysis, component C5 was predominantly localized to the basal layer within rete ridges and was characterized by β-sheet-enriched keratin features. This spatially restricted distribution reflects the molecular microenvironment of epidermal stem cell niches, suggesting that C5 may serve as a biomarker for basal stem cell populations associated with skin undulations. These findings provide insight into the molecular basis of epidermal architecture and demonstrate the potential of Raman spectroscopy as a label-free tool for evaluating stem cell localization and differentiation status.
SN - 2832-3637
ER -