The Muscarinic Acetylcholine Receptor in Dermal Papilla Cells Regulates Hair Growth

February 2026 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

Yuen Gw, K. W. Leung, Queenie W. S. Lai, Maggie S. S. Guo, A. Gao, Janet Y. M. Ho, H. Y. Chu, W. K. Tsim Karl

muscarinic acetylcholine receptors M4 mAChR acetylcholinesterase bethanechol Wnt/β-catenin signalling PI3K/AKT pathway ERK pathway dermal papilla cells telogen phase hair follicles mAChRs AChE M4 receptor cholinergic system

TLDR Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors in skin cells help regulate and promote hair growth.

The study investigates the role of the M4 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) in dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and its impact on hair growth. It demonstrates that M4 mAChR activation promotes hair growth by enhancing Wnt/β-catenin signaling through the PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways. In M4 mAChR knockout mice, hair follicles showed a prolonged telogen phase and failed to produce hair shafts. Treatments with mAChR agonists like bethanechol and acetylcholinesterase inhibitors increased hair shaft elongation and hair growth markers. The study suggests that targeting M4 mAChR could be a promising strategy for promoting hair growth and treating alopecia, although further research is needed to validate these findings.

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