Modulating Hair Follicle Size with Wnt10b/DKK1 During Hair Regeneration

The study explored the modulation of hair follicle size during hair regeneration by using Wnt10b and DKK1. It was found that activation of Wnt10b-mediated ß-catenin signaling led to larger hair follicles, particularly in Zigzag hairs, with a 65% increase in size compared to controls. This enlargement was associated with increased numbers of CD34 positive hair stem cells and their proliferation. Conversely, co-treatment with DKK1, a Wnt inhibitor, normalized the enlargement and proliferation induced by Wnt10b. The study concluded that Wnt10b/DKK1 can regulate hair follicle size by affecting cell behaviors such as proliferation, differentiation, and migration, without changing hair types, which could have implications for treating hair follicle miniaturization in conditions like aging or androgenetic alopecia. The experiments were conducted on mice with multiple injections and repeated at least 40 times, achieving about an 85% hair regeneration rate.