Decorin Promotes Proliferation and Migration of ORS Keratinocytes and Maintains Hair Anagen in Mice

The study from 2018 demonstrated that DECORIN, a proteoglycan, plays a significant role in hair follicle biology by enhancing the proliferation and migration of outer root sheath (ORS) keratinocytes and maintaining the anagen phase of hair growth in mice. Overexpression of DECORIN in vitro upregulated key components of the Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway, which is essential for hair growth, and this effect was partially inhibited by a pathway inhibitor, suggesting DECORIN's effects are mediated through this pathway. In vivo, Decorin-null (Dcn-/-) mice showed a shortened anagen phase and reduced ß-catenin expression, indicating that DECORIN is important for maintaining the hair growth phase. The study suggests that DECORIN could be a potential target for treating hair loss disorders, although the exact mechanisms of its action require further investigation. The number of human subjects was not mentioned as the study was conducted on cells and mice.