Analyses of Regenerative Wave Patterns in Adult Hair Follicle Populations Reveal Macro-Environmental Regulation of Stem Cell Activity

January 2009 in “ The International journal of developmental biology ”

Maksim V. Plikus, Randall B. Widelitz, Rob Maxson, Cheng‐Ming Chuong

hair follicle stem cell activity hair follicle cycling bone morphogenetic protein BMP signaling hair cycle phases transgenic mice BMP-coated beads hair wave propagation hair cycle behavior hair growth hair loss BMP proteins

TLDR Hair follicle stem cells are controlled by their surrounding environment.

The study analyzed regenerative wave patterns in adult hair follicle populations and found that macro-environmental factors, particularly bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling, played a crucial role in regulating stem cell activity and hair follicle cycling. It identified oscillations in BMP signaling as key regulators, with BMP proteins influencing the transition between different hair cycle phases. Experiments with transgenic mice and BMP-coated beads confirmed BMP's role in inhibiting hair wave propagation and modulating hair cycle behavior. These findings suggested new therapeutic targets for treating hair loss and promoting hair growth by considering both local and macro-environmental influences on stem cell regulation.

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