Dynamic Signals for Hair Follicle Development and Regeneration

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.