Developmental Signals in Skin Morphogenesis
September 2004
in “
Experimental Dermatology
”
TLDR Key signals like Wnt and β-catenin are crucial for skin and hair development, with potential for treating skin disorders.
The document explored the mechanisms of skin and hair follicle development, emphasizing the epidermis's role as a self-renewing barrier system. It detailed how hair follicles form during embryogenesis through signaling between keratinocytes and dermal cells, with molecules like Wnt, p63, myc, and hedgehog being crucial. Studies on mouse mutants and inherited disorders provided insights into these regulatory pathways. The document also reviewed the role of signaling pathways, such as β-catenin and Indian hedgehog, in hair follicle development and differentiation. It was found that β-catenin activation could induce new hair follicles and maintain hair follicle tumors, highlighting the epidermis's potential for lineage conversion and reprogramming.
