MicroRNA-214 Controls Skin and Hair Follicle Development by Modulating the Activity of the Wnt Pathway

The document from 2014 presents a study on the role of microRNA-214 (miR-214) in skin and hair follicle (HF) development, particularly how it modulates the activity of the Wnt signaling pathway. The study found that overexpression of miR-214 in keratinocytes led to inhibited cell proliferation, resulting in fewer and smaller HFs that produced thinner hair. This was due to miR-214 targeting ß-catenin, a key mediator in the Wnt pathway. The negative effects on HF development could be reversed by Wnt activators, indicating that miR-214 is a crucial regulator of this pathway. The study involved groups of 3 to 5 mice per genotype for various analyses and was supported by the Medical Research Council UK. It provides insights into the role of miR-214 in skin homeostasis, regeneration, and aging, and has implications for stem cell and cancer biology, regenerative medicine, and aging research.