Effects of Imiquimod on Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Hair Cycle Progression

July 2016 in “ The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology ”

Nicole Amberg, Martin Holcmann, Gabriel Stulnig, Maria Sibilia

imiquimod hair follicle stem cells hair cycle progression telogen anagen inflammatory macrophages gamma delta T cells resident immune cells Rag2-/- mice macrophages BMP-4 Wnt inflammatory cytokines CCL2 TNF-α IMQ resting phase growth phase tumor necrosis factor alpha

Studysummary This study found that applying topical imiquimod during mid and late telogen in mice activates hair follicle stem cells and influences immune cell infiltration, promoting hair cycle entry independently of Wnt signaling.

Automatically generated from the study's abstract, not written by a person, and not a review of the full paper. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Read the original study, and consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

View this study on jidonline.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

7 / 7 results

research Organ-Level Quorum Sensing Directs Regeneration in Hair Stem Cell Populations

236 citations , April 2015 in “Cell”

This study found that patterned hair plucking in mice triggers a collective regeneration response in nearby unplucked hair follicles via a quorum sensing mechanism involving immune signaling.

research Macrophages Contribute to the Cyclic Activation of Adult Hair Follicle Stem Cells

175 citations , December 2014 in “PLoS Biology”

This study found that macrophages near hair follicles contribute to the activation of skin epithelial stem cells in mice, suggesting a novel role for macrophages in regulating hair growth.

research Regenerative Hair Waves in Aging Mice and Extra-Follicular Modulators Follistatin, Dkk1, and Sfrp4

75 citations , March 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that aging mice experience slower and more fragmented hair cycle waves, but transplanting aged skin to a young host can partially restore hair cycling, implicating extracellular factors.

research Competitive Balance of Intrabulge BMP/Wnt Signaling Reveals a Robust Gene Network Ruling Stem Cell Homeostasis and Cyclic Activation

176 citations , January 2013 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

This study reveals an antagonistic competition between BMP and Wnt signaling within stem cells, influencing their fate towards hair germ characteristics based on the BMP/Wnt activity ratio.

research Epidermal Homeostasis: A Balancing Act of Stem Cells in the Skin

1039 citations , February 2009 in “Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology”

This review discusses the reuse of molecular mechanisms involved in embryonic skin development for maintaining adult epidermal homeostasis and reports no new results.

research Scratching the Surface of Skin Development

788 citations , February 2007 in “Nature”

This review explores how adult skin epithelia preserve stem cell populations for hair follicle regeneration and wound healing, but reports no new experimental results.

research Noggin Is Required for Induction of the Hair Follicle Growth Phase in Postnatal Skin

211 citations , October 2001 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that the BMP antagonist noggin induces hair growth in postnatal skin by neutralizing BMP4's inhibitory activity, potentially mediated by changes in Shh expression.