BMP Signaling in the Hair Follicle Stem Cell Niche Regulates Hair Growth and Skin Pigmentation
TLDR BMP signaling controls hair growth and skin color.
The study demonstrated that BMP signaling and the gene Sox2 played crucial roles in regulating hair growth and skin pigmentation by controlling mesenchymal-epithelial interactions in the hair follicle stem cell niche. Sox2 knockdown in mice led to changes in hair color and abnormal BMP signaling in melanocytes, indicating their importance in the melanocyte stem cell niche. Preliminary human skin biopsy data supported active BMP signaling in melanocyte compartments, and co-culture studies showed BMP's role in melanogenesis, melanin transfer, and cell migration. These findings suggested potential new therapeutic strategies for pigmentation disorders by modulating BMP signaling.
