TLDR Hedgehog signaling controls hair follicle development and can affect skin cancer growth.
The study by Adolphe et al. used single molecule fluorescent in situ hybridization (smFISH) to quantify Hedgehog (Hh) signaling levels in mouse skin, revealing a gradient of Hh pathway activation that may specify hair follicle development. They found that Ptch1 is the primary regulator of Hh signaling, with Ptch2 playing a secondary role. Loss of Ptch1 alone led to increased Hh signaling and hyperplastic growth, while combined loss of Ptch1 and Ptch2 resulted in more severe neoplasias. The study suggested that smFISH could be a useful diagnostic tool for differentiating between benign, drug-sensitive, and drug-resistant Hh-driven tumors.
16 citations,
May 2011 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation” Some skin tumors may start from hair follicle stem cells.
72 citations,
November 2017 in “Journal of developmental biology” The Hedgehog signaling pathway is important for skin and hair growth and can lead to cancer if it doesn't work right.
25 citations,
May 2013 in “Journal of mammary gland biology and neoplasia” Hedgehog signaling is crucial for mammary gland development over hair follicles.
160 citations,
January 2014 in “Seminars in cell & developmental biology” Early development of hair, teeth, and glands involves specific signaling pathways and cellular interactions.
145 citations,
November 2018 in “Nature Communications” The Sonic hedgehog pathway is crucial for new hair growth during mouse skin healing.
17 citations,
June 2017 in “British Journal of Dermatology” The article concludes that hair loss is a common side effect of drugs treating skin cancer by blocking the hedgehog pathway, but treatment should continue, and more selective drugs might prevent this side effect.
