Coordinated Activation of Wnt in Epithelial and Melanocyte Stem Cells Initiates Pigmented Hair Regeneration
June 2011
in “Cell”
TLDR Wnt signaling is crucial for pigmented hair regeneration by controlling stem cell activation and differentiation.
The study explored the importance of Wnt signaling in the regeneration of pigmented hair, focusing on the interaction between epithelial stem cells (EpSCs) and melanocyte stem cells (McSCs). It was found that Wnt signaling is essential for the coordinated activation and differentiation of these stem cells within the hair follicle. Activation of Wnt signaling in McSCs leads to their differentiation into pigment-producing melanocytes, while in EpSCs, it triggers hair follicle formation and controls McSC proliferation. The study used genetic mouse models to demonstrate that Wnt signaling serves as both an intrinsic and extrinsic regulator for these stem cells. The research also showed that constitutive stabilization of β-catenin in McSCs causes premature differentiation and loss of these cells, leading to premature hair graying, while loss of β-catenin inhibits melanocyte proliferation and differentiation, also resulting in gray hair. The study involved more than 15 mice from five litters for gray hair coat observation, 10 mice from more than four separate litters for pigmentation analysis, and over 60 longitudinal hair follicle sections from at least three different mice for immunohistochemical and histological analysis. The findings suggest that targeting Wnt signaling could be a potential strategy for treating pigmentation disorders and that the coordinated action between EpSCs and McSCs is crucial for pigmented hair regeneration.
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Cited in this study
research Wnt Signaling, Lgr5, and Stem Cells in the Intestine and Skin
Lgr5 is a marker for active, self-renewing stem cells in the intestine and skin, important for tissue maintenance.
research Epidermal homeostasis: a balancing act of stem cells in the skin
Skin stem cells are crucial for maintaining and repairing the skin and hair, using a complex mix of signals to do so.
research Wnt-dependent de novo hair follicle regeneration in adult mouse skin after wounding
Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.
research Changes in Different Melanocyte Populations During Hair Follicle Involution (Catagen)
research Defining the impact of β-catenin/Tcf transactivation on epithelial stem cells
β-catenin is essential for stem cell activation and proliferation in hair follicles.
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