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 … W. K. Tsim Karl
    Studysummary In this study, the researchers found that cholinergic signaling via M4 muscarinic receptors influences hair growth, with enhanced elongation observed upon activation with bethanechol, highlighting its potential role in hair biology using mouse models.
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    Research cited in this study 14

    1. Integrative and Mechanistic Approach to the Hair Growth Cycle and Hair Loss Journal of Clinical Medicine · 2023
    2. Morphogenesis, Growth Cycle, and Molecular Regulation of Hair Follicles Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology · 2022
    3. Norgalanthamine Stimulates Proliferation of Dermal Papilla Cells via Anagen-Activating Signaling Pathways Biological & Pharmaceutical Bulletin · 2018
    4. A Guide to Studying Human Hair Follicle Cycling In Vivo Journal of Investigative Dermatology · 2015
    5. The Dermal Papilla: An Instructive Niche for Epithelial Stem and Progenitor Cells in Development and Regeneration of the Hair Follicle Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine · 2014
    6. Topical Valproic Acid Increases Hair Count in Male Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Randomized, Comparative, Clinical Feasibility Study Using Phototrichogram Analysis Journal of Dermatology · 2014
    7. Valproic Acid Promotes Human Hair Growth in In Vitro Culture Model Journal of Dermatological Science · 2013
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    9. Hairless Triggers Reactivation of Hair Growth by Promoting Wnt Signaling Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America · 2005
    10. Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Controls Hair Pigmentation Through Cross-Talk With the Melanocortin Receptor-1 Pathway Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences · 2004
    11. Increased Acetylcholine Levels in Skin Biopsies of Patients with Atopic Dermatitis Life Sciences · 2003
    12. Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis Journal of Clinical Investigation · 2001
    13. The Biology of Hair Follicles The New England Journal of Medicine · 1999
    14. Role of Hair Papilla Cells in Induction and Regeneration Processes of Hair Follicles Wound Repair and Regeneration · 1998