Dynamic Signals for Hair Follicle Development and Regeneration

July 2011 in “ Stem Cells and Development ”

Xusheng Wang, Edward E. Tredget, Yaojiong Wu

Studysummary This review discusses recent findings on hair follicle morphogenesis and regeneration, focusing on molecular signals and stem cells, and suggests that understanding these processes may aid in developing new strategies for wound healing. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The 2011 review "Dynamic Signals for Hair Follicle Development and Regeneration" discussed the molecular signals involved in hair follicle development and regeneration. Key signaling pathways and regulatory genes were identified using genetically engineered mouse models, including Wnt/ß-catenin signaling, ectodysplasin (Eda)-A1/nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-KB) pathway, bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), Sonic Hedgehog (Shh), Dickkopf-1/4 (Dkk-1/4), noggin, and adenomatosis polyposis coli downregulated 1 (APCDD1). The study also highlighted the role of stem cells in hair follicle development and regeneration, particularly cutaneous stem cells located in the bulge region of the hair follicle. The absence of hair follicle regeneration in healing wounds was attributed to a lack of proper inductive signals, not due to malfunction of these stem cells. The study concluded that a better understanding of these signals could lead to novel molecular therapies for cutaneous regeneration.

View this study on liebertpub.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

45 / 45 results

research Self-Organizing and Stochastic Behaviors During the Regeneration of Hair Stem Cells

176 citations , April 2011 in “Science”

This study found that in a population of hair follicles, regenerative cycling stages are regulated by both intrinsic and extrinsic signals, with WNT/BMP signaling mediating interactions among follicles for adaptability.

research APCDD1 Is a Novel Wnt Inhibitor Mutated in Hereditary Hypotrichosis Simplex

199 citations , April 2010 in “Nature”

A gene called APCDD1, which controls hair growth, is found to be faulty in a type of hair loss called hereditary hypotrichosis simplex.

research Clock Genes, Hair Growth, and Aging

55 citations , March 2010 in “Aging”

This study found that circadian clock genes are involved in regulating the hair growth cycle, suggesting a connection between daily rhythms and the longer hair follicle cycling process.

research Fine Mapping of the Human AR/EDA2R Locus in Androgenetic Alopecia

28 citations , March 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This abstract contains only supplementary material information and reports no new research findings.

research SKPs Derive from Hair Follicle Precursors and Exhibit Properties of Adult Dermal Stem Cells

330 citations , December 2009 in “Cell stem cell”

This study suggests that skin-derived precursors from Sox2(+) hair follicle dermal cells have the potential to function as dermal stem cells, supporting hair morphogenesis, dermal maintenance, and wound-healing.

research Hair Follicle Neogenesis Induced by Cultured Human Scalp Dermal Papilla Cells

63 citations , September 2009 in “Regenerative Medicine”

This study developed a method for expanding human dermal papilla cells in vitro while maintaining their ability to induce hair growth, advancing the potential for follicular cell implantation as a treatment for hair loss.

research KGF And EGF Signaling Block Hair Follicle Induction And Promote Interfollicular Epidermal Fate In Developing Mouse Skin

82 citations , May 2009 in “Development”

This study found that downregulation of EGF and KGF signaling is necessary for hair follicle initiation in placodes, revealing a new role for KGF in hair follicle formation in mice.

research Akt2 and SGK3 Are Both Determinants of Postnatal Hair Follicle Development

24 citations , May 2009 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that Akt2 and SGK3 are crucial for postnatal hair follicle development in mice, as their combined absence led to severe hair growth defects due to disrupted β-catenin-dependent transcriptional processes.

research Lrig1 Expression Defines a Distinct Multipotent Stem Cell Population in Mammalian Epidermis

503 citations , May 2009 in “Cell stem cell”

This study suggests that Lrig1-positive cells form a previously unknown reservoir of interfollicular epidermal stem cells in adult mouse skin, influencing epidermal proliferation and hair follicle development.

research Embryonic Hair Follicle Fate Change by Augmented Beta-Catenin Through Shh and Bmp Signaling

54 citations , January 2009 in “Development”

This study concluded that Wnt/β-catenin signaling, through Shh and Bmp pathways, is crucial for determining hair follicle fate in embryonic epidermal development.

research Lgr5 Marks Cycling, Yet Long-Lived, Hair Follicle Stem Cells

835 citations , October 2008 in “Nature Genetics”

Lgr5 is a marker for active, long-lasting stem cells in mouse hair follicles.

research Dlx3 Is a Crucial Regulator of Hair Follicle Differentiation and Cycling

132 citations , August 2008 in “Development”

This research found that Dlx3 plays a central role in hair formation and regeneration, with its absence leading to alopecia through disrupted differentiation and signaling pathways.

research Heparanase 1: A Key Participant of Inner Root Sheath Differentiation Program and Hair Follicle Homeostasis

22 citations , June 2008 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study found that heparanase is primarily located in the inner root sheath of human hair follicles during the anagen phase, and inhibiting it in cultured hair follicles induces a catagen-like process.

research Beyond Wavy Hairs: The Role of EGFR in Skin and Hair Biology

160 citations , June 2008 in “American Journal Of Pathology”

This review discusses the effects of the epidermal growth factor receptor system on skin biology and pathology, relying on animal models to analyze roles in cellular processes, wound healing, and tumorigenesis, but reports no new results.

research Identification of Dkk4 as a Target of Eda-A1/Edar Pathway Reveals an Unexpected Role of Ectodysplasin as Inhibitor of Wnt Signaling in Ectodermal Placodes

117 citations , April 2008 in “Developmental biology”

This study identified that Eda-A1 unexpectedly induces placode inhibitors dkk4 and lrp4, indicating the importance of tightly regulated signaling for proper ectodermal organ development.

research EDA2R Is Associated With Androgenetic Alopecia

82 citations , April 2008 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

EDA2R gene linked to hair loss.

research Expression Pattern of Cyclooxygenase-2 in Normal Rat Epidermis and Pilosebaceous Unit During Hair Cycle

9 citations , January 2008 in “Acta histochemica et cytochemica”

This study found that COX-2 expression in normal rat skin is linked to the hair cycle, with varying levels observed in different skin structures during anagen, catagen, and telogen phases.

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 The Potential of Nestin-Expressing Hair Follicle Stem Cells in Regenerative Medicine

50 citations , February 2007 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy”

This study found that hair follicle stem cells can effectively enhance nerve regeneration and restore function in peripheral nerve injuries in mice, suggesting their potential as a source for autologous stem cell therapy.

research Role of the Vitamin D Receptor in Hair Follicle Biology

54 citations , January 2007 in “The Journal of Steroid Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

This study found that hair follicle homeostasis in mice requires vitamin D receptor expression in keratinocytes, independent of its ligand activation.

research Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Regulates the Size of Hair Follicles and Modulates the Expression of Cell Cycle-Associated Genes

92 citations , November 2006 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

This study found that transgenic mice overexpressing the BMP antagonist noggin showed increased hair follicle size and altered hair type, linked to changes in cell proliferation and gene expression.

research Hair Cycle Control by Vanilloid Receptor-1 (TRPV1): Evidence from TRPV1 Knockout Mice

49 citations , April 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

TRPV1 helps regulate hair growth cycles.

research Wnt Signaling Induces Epithelial Differentiation During Cutaneous Wound Healing

159 citations , January 2006 in “BMC Cell Biology”

This study found that manipulating Wnt signaling pathways in cutaneous wounds can induce skin structures resembling regeneration, suggesting a potential role for Wnt signals in restoring skin architecture during wound healing.

research Edar Signaling in the Control of Hair Follicle Development

71 citations , November 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This review discusses the role of Edar signaling in hair follicle development and cycling, emphasizing its impact on cell fate, differentiation, and interactions with other pathways, but reports no new results.

research Sgk3 Links Growth Factor Signaling to Maintenance of Progenitor Cells in the Hair Follicle

53 citations , August 2005 in “The Journal of Cell Biology”

This study found that the absence of Sgk3 in mice leads to impaired hair follicle maturation, characterized by reduced cell proliferation, increased apoptosis, and premature regression.

research Multipotent Nestin-Positive, Keratin-Negative Hair-Follicle Bulge Stem Cells Can Form Neurons

419 citations , March 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

This study demonstrated that ND-GFP stem cells from the hair-follicle bulge area can differentiate into various cell types, including neurons, suggesting their potential as a source for therapeutic applications.

research Molecular Principles of Hair Follicle Induction and Morphogenesis

479 citations , January 2005 in “BioEssays”

This review introduces the morphological and molecular principles of hair follicle development but reports no new experimental results, focusing on recent insights and forming a working hypothesis.

research Ligand-Independent Actions of the Vitamin D Receptor Maintain Hair Follicle Homeostasis

144 citations , December 2004 in “Molecular Endocrinology”

This study found that the effects of the vitamin D receptor on hair follicle cycling in mice are independent of its ability to bind a hormone, with specific domain mutations influencing hair regrowth outcomes.

research Canonical WNT Signaling Promotes Mammary Placode Development and Is Essential for Initiation of Mammary Gland Morphogenesis

293 citations , September 2004 in “Development”

This study found that WNT signaling is essential for the initiation of mammary gland morphogenesis in embryonic mice, promoting placode development and potentially playing a critical role in skin appendage formation.

research Myodegeneration in EDA-A2 Transgenic Mice Is Prevented by XEDAR Deficiency

75 citations , January 2004 in “Molecular and Cellular Biology”

In this study, EDA-A2 transgenic mice exhibited multifocal myodegeneration dependent on XEDAR, suggesting a potential role for XEDAR in skeletal muscle homeostasis.

research Epithelial Growth Control by Neurotrophins: Leads and Lessons from the Hair Follicle

99 citations , January 2004 in “Progress in brain research”

This review examines the role of neurotrophins in hair follicle development and remodeling, highlighting potential therapeutic applications for hair growth disorders, but it reports no new empirical findings.

research Nestin Expression in Hair Follicle Sheath Progenitor Cells

352 citations , August 2003 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

In this study, nestin-expressing cells in the hair follicle bulge, marked by GFP in transgenic mice, were identified as progenitors of the hair follicle outer-root sheath.

research Stimulation of Ectodermal Organ Development by Ectodysplasin-A1

249 citations , May 2003 in “Developmental Biology”

Ectodysplasin-A1 is crucial for developing hair, teeth, and glands.

research Control of Pelage Hair Follicle Development and Cycling by Complex Interactions Between Follistatin and Activin

81 citations , January 2003 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study found that follistatin and activin interactions are important for hair follicle development and cycling in mice, suggesting that they may regulate processes involving BMP-2 and its antagonist.

research Cyclic Alopecia in Msx2 Mutants: Defects in Hair Cycling and Hair Shaft Differentiation

158 citations , December 2002 in “Development”

In this study, Msx2-deficient mice showed progressive hair loss due to shortened anagen phase and prolonged catagen and telogen phases, resulting in cyclic alopecia with structurally abnormal hair shafts.

research Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Hair Follicle Development

854 citations , February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle formation and discusses potential future clinical applications for treating hair loss and skin tumors, but it reports no new clinical 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.

research P53 Involvement in the Control of Murine Hair Follicle Regression

71 citations , June 2001 in “American Journal of Pathology”

This study found that p53 plays a crucial role in regulating apoptosis during hair follicle regression (catagen) in mice, and its absence leads to delayed progression and altered expression of apoptosis-related markers.

research Expression and Function of Keratinocyte Growth Factor and Activin in Skin Morphogenesis and Cutaneous Wound Repair

113 citations , December 2000 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This study reports that overexpression of activin in transgenic mice enhances granulation tissue formation during wound healing, highlighting a novel role for activin in cutaneous repair processes.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the biologic and psychosocial significance of hair, the current limitations in hair growth drugs, and anticipates future therapies based on advancing hair follicle research.

research Hair Follicle Biology, the Sebaceous Gland, and Scarring Alopecias

57 citations , August 1999 in “Archives of dermatology”

Hair follicles grow hair and release it through the skin.

research WNT Signaling in the Control of Hair Growth and Structure

271 citations , March 1999 in “Developmental biology”

This study reveals that overexpression of Wnt3 in transgenic mouse skin leads to a short-hair phenotype and cyclical balding due to structural defects in hair shafts, highlighting a role for WNT signaling in hair growth regulation.

research The Use of Dermal Papilla Cells in Studies of Normal and Abnormal Hair Follicle Biology

19 citations , October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

This review discusses using cultured dermal papilla cells to investigate hair follicle biology, emphasizing their potential to inform treatments, but reports no new clinical results.

research Induction of Follicle Formation and Hair Growth by Vibrissa Dermal Papillae Implanted into Rat Ear Wounds: Vibrissa-Type Fibres Are Specified

125 citations , August 1992 in “Development”

This study found that implanting isolated adult rat dermal papillae into ear cuts led to the emergence of unusually large vibrissa-type hair follicles, demonstrating their capacity to induce specific hair fiber characteristics.

research The Secret Life of the Hair Follicle

745 citations , February 1992 in “Trends in genetics”

This article describes the potential role of various growth factors and molecules in regulating mammalian hair follicle development but does not present new experimental results.