KRT6A and KRT17 Mark Distinct Stem Cell Populations in the Adult Palpebral Conjunctiva and Meibomian Gland

<i>Krt6a</i>- and <i>Krt17</i>-expressing cells contribute to adult PC and MG homeostasis, respectively. KRT17 expression is enhanced by GLI2ΔN, and suppressed by HDAC3 and KLF4, whereas KRT6A expression is controlled only by HDAC3. These findings provide important biological insight into tissue-specific maintenance mechanisms and may inform future therapeutic strategies for regenerating MG and PC tissues affected by SC exhaustion or dysregulation.