Role of β-Catenin in Epidermal Stem Cell Expansion, Lineage Selection, and Cancer

January 2008 in “ Cold Spring Harbor Symposia on Quantitative Biology ”

Fiona M. Watt, Charlotte Collins

beta-catenin Wnt signaling pathway epidermal stem cells vitamin D receptor Lef/Tcf-independent signaling

TLDR Beta-catenin is crucial for skin cell growth, development, and cancer formation.

The document reviewed the role of beta-catenin in regulating adult stem cell renewal, lineage selection, and tumor formation in the mammalian epidermis. It highlighted beta-catenin as a key cytoplasmic effector in the Wnt signaling pathway, influencing these processes in cultured human epidermal cells and genetically modified mice. The review emphasized the significance of the timing and level of beta-catenin activation and explored pathways activated downstream. Additionally, it demonstrated the importance of Lef/Tcf-independent beta-catenin signaling through its interaction with the vitamin D receptor.

View this study on symposium.cshlp.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Activation of Beta-Catenin Signaling Programs Embryonic Epidermis to Hair Follicle Fate

193 citations , May 2008 in “Development”

Activating β-catenin can turn skin cells into hair follicles.

research Epidermal Notch Signaling: Differentiation, Cancer, and Adhesion

253 citations , April 2008 in “Current opinion in cell biology”

Notch signalling helps skin cells differentiate and prevents tumors.

research The Vitamin D Receptor Is Required for Mouse Hair Cycle Progression but Not for Maintenance of the Epidermal Stem Cell Compartment

25 citations , March 2008 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Vitamin D Receptor is needed for hair growth in mice but not for skin stem cell maintenance.

research The Vitamin D Receptor Is a Wnt Effector That Controls Hair Follicle Differentiation and Specifies Tumor Type in Adult Epidermis

127 citations , January 2008 in “PloS one”

Vitamin D receptor helps control hair growth and could be used to treat certain skin tumors.

research Sic Transit Gloria: Farewell to the Epidermal Transit Amplifying Cell?

153 citations , October 2007 in “Cell Stem Cell”

New research suggests that skin cell renewal may not require a special type of cell previously thought to be essential.

research Vitamin D Receptor Is Essential For Normal Keratinocyte Stem Cell Function

143 citations , May 2007 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

Vitamin D receptor is crucial for normal hair growth and preventing hair loss.

research Wnt-Dependent De Novo Hair Follicle Regeneration in Adult Mouse Skin After Wounding

829 citations , May 2007 in “Nature”

Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.

research Long-Term Renewal of Hair Follicles from Clonogenic Multipotent Stem Cells

291 citations , October 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

Adult stem cells from rat whisker follicles can regenerate hair follicles and sebaceous glands.

research Transient Activation of Beta-Catenin Signaling in Adult Mouse Epidermis Induces New Hair Follicles, Continuous Activation Maintains Tumors

335 citations , March 2004 in “Development”

Temporary activation of β-catenin can create new hair follicles, but ongoing activation is needed to keep hair follicle tumors.

research Keratin 15 Promoter Targets Putative Epithelial Stem Cells in the Hair Follicle Bulge

387 citations , November 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

The K15 promoter effectively targets stem cells in the hair follicle bulge.

research Manipulation of Stem Cell Proliferation and Lineage Commitment: Visualization of Label-Retaining Cells in Wholemounts of Mouse Epidermis

421 citations , September 2003 in “Development”

Stem cell behavior varies with stimuli, and lineage changes can happen without affecting stem cell division.

research Tcf3 and Lef1 Regulate Lineage Differentiation of Multipotent Stem Cells in Skin

555 citations , July 2001 in “Genes & Development”

Tcf3 and Lef1 are key in deciding skin stem cell roles.

research Metabolic And Cellular Analysis Of Alopecia In Vitamin D Receptor Knockout Mice

137 citations , April 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

Alopecia in these mice is caused by defective hair cycle communication due to missing vitamin D receptor function, not vitamin D levels.

research C-Myc Activation in Transgenic Mouse Epidermis Results in Mobilization of Stem Cells and Differentiation of Their Progeny

338 citations , April 2001 in “Current Biology”

c-Myc activation in mouse skin increases sebaceous gland growth and affects hair follicle development.

research Multiple Roles for Activated LEF/TCF Transcription Complexes During Hair Follicle Development and Differentiation

990 citations , October 1999 in “Development”

Activated LEF/TCF complexes are crucial for hair development and cycling.

research Reversible Activation of c-Myc in Skin

467 citations , May 1999 in “Molecular Cell”

Activating c-Myc in skin causes rapid cell growth and changes, but these effects are reversible.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 202 results

Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

community Compressed part of research of theory of androgenic/anabolitic balance. AGA h-responders analytic. Theory of physio-metabolitic method of anti AGA treatment

in Research 865 upvotes 1 year ago

The treatment for androgenetic alopecia involves using finasteride and minoxidil with intense exercise and cold exposure to boost metabolism and reduce androgenic effects, potentially leading to hair regrowth. This approach may activate biological pathways for improved hair and overall health.

community Better Than Minoxidil? Topical Sodium Valproate

in Research/Science 51 upvotes 9 months ago

Topical sodium valproate may promote hair growth by inhibiting GSK3β, allowing beta-catenin to proliferate, but it has potential side effects and requires more research. The conversation also mentions skepticism about a product called Vdphlo1, which includes sodium valproate and other ingredients.

community Novel Formulation To Put An End To Hair Loss Once And For All.

in Research/Science 116 upvotes 1 month ago

A pharmacy student proposed a hair loss treatment using minoxidil, finasteride, clascoterone, and tretinoin, aiming for high effectiveness with minimal side effects. Reactions were mixed, with some questioning its feasibility and others showing interest.

community A concise, easy-to-understand post on Androgenic Alopecia theory and its practical applications

in Research/Science 92 upvotes 3 years ago

The mechanism of Androgenic Alopecia and practical applications of treatments like Minoxidil, Finasteride, RU58841, dermarolling, scalp massages, anti-fungals, progesterone, estrogen, PPAR-γ activators, reducing oxidative stress, and scalp exercises. It explains why DHT is important in AA and how other factors might be involved such as hypoxia, increased DKK-1 expression, morphological changes to the scalp, skull growth during childhood/puberty, and blood flow.

community My progress with various products and without oral fin or oral dut on 17 months

in Progress Pictures 59 upvotes 6 months ago

The user shared their hair loss treatment progress using topical products like exosomes, fluridil, Kx826, and topical dutasteride, avoiding oral finasteride and dutasteride due to side effects. They found exosomes from Creative Biolabs most effective and also used topical probiotics, noting improvements without significant side effects.

community An argument for why we should take topical Dutasteride seriously

in Research/Science 85 upvotes 4 years ago

Topical Dutasteride may halt hair loss and effectively treat androgenic alopecia. Combining low-dose oral Dutasteride with topical application could maximize regrowth and minimize side effects.

Similar Research

6 / 1000+ results

research Vitamin D and the Skin: Physiology and Pathophysiology

158 citations , August 2011 in “Reviews in endocrine and metabolic disorders”

Vitamin D and its receptor regulate skin functions like cell growth, immunity, hair cycle, and tumor prevention.

research Stem Cells in the Skin

October 2016

Skin stem cells are crucial for maintaining and repairing skin, with potential for treating skin disorders and improving wound healing.

research Hair Restoration in Androgenetic Alopecia: Looking Beyond Minoxidil, Finasteride, and Hair Transplantation

13 citations , January 2016 in “Journal of cosmetology & trichology”

Alternative treatments show promise for hair growth beyond traditional methods.

research Progress on Mitochondria and Hair Follicle Development in Androgenetic Alopecia: Relationships and Therapeutic Perspectives

February 2025 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

Maintaining healthy mitochondria may help treat hair loss.

research Ligand-Independent Actions of the Vitamin D Receptor: More Questions Than Answers

11 citations , November 2021 in “JBMR plus”

The vitamin D receptor can act without its usual activating molecule, affecting hair growth and skin cancer, but its full range of actions is not well understood.

research Role of Vitamin D and Calcium Signaling in Epidermal Wound Healing

15 citations , August 2022 in “Journal of endocrinological investigation”

Vitamin D and calcium are important for quick and effective skin wound healing.