mTOR Signaling Promotes Stem Cell Activation via Counterbalancing BMP-Mediated Suppression During Hair Regeneration

January 2015 in “ Journal of molecular cell biology/Journal of Molecular Cell Biology ”

Zhili Deng, Xiaohua Lei, Xudong Zhang, Huishan Zhang, Shuang Liu, Qi Chen, Huimin Hu, Xinyue Wang, Lina Ning, Yuqi Cao, Tongbiao Zhao, Jiaxi Zhou, Ting Chen, Enkui Duan

mTOR signaling mTOR complex 1 mTORC1 hair follicle stem cells HFSCs telogen anagen BMP signaling Noggin hair regeneration mTOR hair stem cells resting phase growth phase BMP hair growth

Studysummary This study found that mTOR signaling plays a crucial role in activating hair follicle stem cells by balancing BMP-mediated repression, essential for hair regeneration.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study revealed that mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling plays a crucial role in the activation of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) during the transition from the resting phase (telogen) to the regeneration phase (anagen) of hair follicles. The researchers used gene targeting and pharmacological inhibition to show that hair follicles unable to respond to mTOR signaling had delayed HFSC activation and an extended resting phase. They found that mTORC1 signaling negatively regulates BMP signaling, which is a suppressive signal for HFSC activation. The study also demonstrated that inhibiting BMP signaling with its antagonist Noggin could rescue the activation defect in HFSCs lacking mTORC1 signaling. This indicates that mTORC1 facilitates HFSC activation by counteracting BMP-mediated suppression during hair regeneration.

View this study on academic.oup.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

15 / 15 results

research Competitive Balance of Intrabulge BMP/Wnt Signaling Reveals a Robust Gene Network Ruling Stem Cell Homeostasis and Cyclic Activation

176 citations , January 2013 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

This study reveals an antagonistic competition between BMP and Wnt signaling within stem cells, influencing their fate towards hair germ characteristics based on the BMP/Wnt activity ratio.

research Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) May Modulate the Timing of Anagen Entry in Mouse Hair Follicles

28 citations , November 2012 in “Experimental dermatology”

This study suggests that mTORC1 may play a role in regulating the timing of hair growth cycle phases, particularly the initiation of the anagen phase.

research Estrogen Leads to Reversible Hair Cycle Retardation Through Inducing Premature Catagen and Maintaining Telogen

42 citations , July 2012 in “PLOS ONE”

This study found that estrogen can cause reversible suppression of the hair cycle by inducing premature catagen and maintaining the telogen phase without damaging the hair follicle stem cell niche or the signature gene expressions of dermal papilla cells.

research New Activators and Inhibitors in the Hair Cycle Clock: Targeting Stem Cells’ State of Competence

68 citations , April 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

The study reports that Fgf18 and Tgf-β2 signaling pathways in hair follicle stem cells have opposing effects on the timing of hair cycle transitions, influencing the shift from telogen to anagen phases.

research Paracrine TGF-β Signaling Counterbalances BMP-Mediated Repression in Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation

321 citations , January 2012 in “Cell stem cell”

This study identified TGF-β2 as a crucial signal in hair follicle stem cell regeneration, highlighting its role in counteracting BMP signaling to promote tissue regeneration.

research Coordinated Activation of Wnt in Epithelial and Melanocyte Stem Cells Initiates Pigmented Hair Regeneration

260 citations , June 2011 in “Cell”

This study found that Wnt signaling in the hair follicle is crucial for coordinating the behavior of epithelial and melanocyte stem cells, which drives hair regeneration and melanocyte differentiation in mice.

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 The Hair Follicle as a Dynamic Mini-Organ

759 citations , February 2009 in “Current Biology”

This review summarizes fundamental concepts and recent advancements in hair follicle biology, including insights from mouse models into broader molecular and cellular processes relevant to regeneration and development.

research Activation of Beta-Catenin Signaling Programs Embryonic Epidermis to Hair Follicle Fate

193 citations , May 2008 in “Development”

This study found that activating β-catenin signaling in embryonic epidermis promoted hair follicle characteristics at the expense of normal epidermal differentiation, leading to early pigmentation and innervation.

research Nfatc1 Balances Quiescence and Proliferation of Skin Stem Cells

415 citations , January 2008 in “Cell”

NFATc1 controls hair stem cell activity, affecting hair growth and could be a target for hair loss treatments.

research Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Inhibits Hair Follicle Anagen Induction by Restricting Epithelial Stem/Progenitor Cell Activation and Expansion

176 citations , September 2006 in “Stem Cells”

This study found that active BMP signaling prevents epithelial stem cell activation and expansion in hair follicles, while its inhibition leads to HF stem/progenitor cell overproduction and matricomas.

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