Mechanical Stretch Induces Hair Regeneration Through the Alternative Activation of Macrophages

April 2019 in “ Nature Communications ”

Szu-Ying Chu, Chih‐Hung Chou, Hsien-Da Huang, Meng-Hua Yen, Hsiao-Chin Hong, Po-Han Chao, Yu-Hsuan Wang, Po‐Yu Chen, Shi-Xin Nian, Yu-Ru Chen, Li-Ying Liou, Yu‐Chen Liu, Huimei Chen, Feng-Mao Lin, Yun-Ting Chang, Chih-Chiang Chen, Oscar K. Lee

mechanical stretch hair regeneration alternative activation of macrophages M2 macrophages growth factors HGF IGF-1 hair stem cells WNT signaling BMP-2 hair cycle regenerative medicine immune cell activity hepatocyte growth factor insulin-like growth factor 1

Studysummary This study found that mechanical skin stretching can stimulate hair stem cell proliferation and hair regeneration by activating a complex pathway involving WNT, BMP-2, and M2 macrophages. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study demonstrated that mechanical stretching of the skin could induce hair regeneration by promoting the alternative activation of macrophages, specifically the M2 phenotype, which is associated with tissue repair. Using 8-week-old mice, researchers found that a 33% strain applied for 7 days was optimal for initiating hair growth. This process involved the release of growth factors like HGF and IGF-1 by M2 macrophages, which activated hair stem cells. The study highlighted the balance between WNT signaling and BMP-2 in controlling the hair cycle and suggested that mechanical forces could be used in regenerative medicine to manipulate cellular processes. The findings pointed to a potential therapeutic approach for hair loss by utilizing mechanical forces to modulate immune cell activity and promote hair growth.

View this study on nature.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research Macrophages Induce AKT/β-Catenin-Dependent Lgr5+ Stem Cell Activation and Hair Follicle Regeneration Through TNF

117 citations , March 2017 in “Nature Communications”

This study shows that macrophage-induced TNF signaling can activate hair follicle stem cells and promote new hair follicle formation after wounding by regulating AKT/β-catenin pathways.

research The Modulatable Stem Cell Niche: Tissue Interactions During Hair and Feather Follicle Regeneration

66 citations , July 2015 in “Journal of Molecular Biology”

This review discusses how macro-environmental factors such as intradermal adipose tissue and sex hormones influence hair and feather stem cell niches, suggesting environmental targets for regenerative medicine, but reports no new clinical results.

research Organ-Level Quorum Sensing Directs Regeneration in Hair Stem Cell Populations

236 citations , April 2015 in “Cell”

This study found that patterned hair plucking in mice triggers a collective regeneration response in nearby unplucked hair follicles via a quorum sensing mechanism involving immune signaling.

research Destruction of the Arrector Pili Muscle and Fat Infiltration in Androgenic Alopecia

35 citations , March 2014 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that in androgenic alopecia, the arrector pili muscle degenerates and is replaced by fat, unlike in normal skin or telogen effluvium.

research Beyond Goosebumps: Does the Arrector Pili Muscle Have a Role in Hair Loss?

31 citations , January 2014 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This review summarizes the anatomy and physiology of the arrector pili muscle and discusses its potential role in hair loss disorders, reporting no new clinical results.

Miniaturized Hairs Maintain Contact With the Arrector Pili Muscle in Alopecia Areata but Not in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Model for Reversible Miniaturization and Potential for Hair Regrowth

research Miniaturized Hairs Maintain Contact With the Arrector Pili Muscle in Alopecia Areata but Not in Androgenetic Alopecia: A Model for Reversible Miniaturization and Potential for Hair Regrowth

22 citations , July 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This study found that loss of contact between the arrector pili muscle and the hair follicle bulge may explain why hair loss in male and female pattern baldness is largely irreversible, unlike in alopecia areata.

research Multi-Layered Environmental Regulation on the Homeostasis of Stem Cells: The Saga of Hair Growth and Alopecia

59 citations , February 2012 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This review discusses the multiple layers of environmental controls on hair stem cell homeostasis and suggests that targeting these layers could offer safer regenerative medicine therapies without directly using stem cells.

research Beta-Catenin Activity in the Dermal Papilla Regulates Morphogenesis and Regeneration of Hair

314 citations , April 2010 in “Developmental Cell”

This study found that in mice, inactivating beta-catenin in the dermal papilla reduces hair follicle progenitor proliferation and disrupts the hair cycle.

research Analyses of Regenerative Wave Patterns in Adult Hair Follicle Populations Reveal Macro-Environmental Regulation of Stem Cell Activity

64 citations , January 2009 in “The International journal of developmental biology”

This study found that intra-follicular Wnt signaling and dermal BMP signaling oscillate differently during hair cycling in mice, affecting hair wave propagation and phases of hair growth.

research Defining the Impact of Beta-Catenin/Tcf Transactivation on Epithelial Stem Cells

384 citations , June 2005 in “Genes & development”

This study found that stabilized beta-catenin is crucial for activating stem cell transition from quiescence to proliferation in hair follicles by influencing gene expression within the stem cell niche.