TLDR Activating a protein called β-catenin in adult skin can make it behave like young skin, potentially helping with skin aging and hair loss.
In 2011, researchers investigated the potential of β-catenin, a protein, in rejuvenating adult skin to a neonatal state. They activated β-catenin in the epidermis of adult mice, which led to the dermis reverting to a neonatal state, characterized by increased hair follicle density and subcutaneous adipose tissue. The study also examined the properties of dermal fibroblasts, crucial in hair follicle formation, and found that adult dermis with ectopic hair follicles resembled neonatal dermis more than adult telogen or anagen dermis. The researchers concluded that adult dermis can be reprogrammed to acquire the characteristics of neonatal dermis in response to cues from the overlying epidermis, suggesting potential therapeutic interventions in skin aging and disorders, including hair loss.
41 citations,
June 2010 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” New cells are added to the hair's dermal papilla during the active growth phase.
314 citations,
April 2010 in “Developmental Cell” β-catenin in the dermal papilla is crucial for normal hair growth and repair.
321 citations,
December 2009 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Dermal cells are key in controlling hair growth and could potentially be used in hair loss treatments, but more research is needed to improve hair regeneration methods.
330 citations,
December 2009 in “Cell stem cell” SKPs are similar to adult skin stem cells and could help in skin repair and hair growth.
84 citations,
December 2008 in “Developmental biology” Retinoic acid-binding proteins in skin are regulated by β-catenin and Notch signalling.
829 citations,
May 2007 in “Nature” Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.
417 citations,
September 2005 in “PLoS biology” Understanding gene expression in hair follicles can reveal insights into hair growth and disorders.
854 citations,
February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Understanding hair follicle development can help treat hair loss, skin regeneration, and certain skin cancers.
November 2023 in “International Journal of Medical Sciences” New regenerative medicine-based therapies for hair loss look promising but need more clinical validation.
August 2023 in “Military Medical Research” Scientists have improved 3D models of human skin for research and medical uses, but still face challenges in perfectly replicating real skin.
January 2019 in “Advances in stem cells and their niches” Skin health and repair depend on the signals between skin stem cells and their surrounding cells.
115 citations,
December 2017 in “Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews-Developmental Biology” Skin cells called dermal fibroblasts are important for skin growth, hair growth, and wound healing.
4 citations,
March 2022 in “Pharmaceutics” Regenerative cellular therapies show promise for treating non-scarring hair loss but need more research.
