Wnt10b Promotes Differentiation of Mouse Hair Follicle Melanocytes

January 2013 in “ International Journal of Medical Sciences ”

Jixing Ye, Tian Yang, Haiying Guo, Yinhong Tang, Fang Deng, Yuhong Li, Yizhan Xing, Li Yang, Ke Yang

TLDR Wnt10b helps hair follicle cells mature and produce pigment.

The study investigated the role of Wnt10b in hair follicle melanocytes using Dct-LacZ transgenic mice and found that Wnt10b was primarily expressed near and within melanocytes during the anagen stage of the hair cycle. It was shown that Wnt10b promoted melanocyte maturation and pigmentation in the hair bulbs. Additionally, by overexpressing Wnt10b in iMC23 cells, the study demonstrated that Wnt10b facilitated melanocyte differentiation through the activation of canonical Wnt signaling.

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Research cited in this study

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research Adenovirus-Mediated Wnt10b Overexpression Induces Hair Follicle Regeneration

77 citations , July 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Wnt10b overexpression can regenerate hair follicles, possibly helping treat hair loss and alopecia.

research Coordinated Activation of Wnt in Epithelial and Melanocyte Stem Cells Initiates Pigmented Hair Regeneration

260 citations , June 2011 in “Cell”

Wnt signaling is crucial for pigmented hair regeneration by controlling stem cell activation and differentiation.

research Melanocyte Stem Cells: A Melanocyte Reservoir in Hair Follicles for Hair and Skin Pigmentation

240 citations , April 2011 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research”

Melanocyte stem cells in hair follicles are key for hair color and could help treat greying and pigment disorders.

research Activation of Beta-Catenin Signaling Programs Embryonic Epidermis to Hair Follicle Fate

193 citations , May 2008 in “Development”

Activating β-catenin can turn skin cells into hair follicles.

research Promotion of Hair Follicle Development and Trichogenesis by Wnt-10b in Cultured Embryonic Skin and Reconstituted Skin

27 citations , May 2006 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

Wnt-10b is important for starting hair growth and developing hair follicles.

research Hair Follicle Pigmentation: Mechanisms and Factors Influencing Melanin Production

450 citations , January 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Hair color is determined by melanin produced and transferred in hair follicles.

research Melanocyte Subpopulation Turnover During the Human Hair Cycle: An Immunohistochemical Study

86 citations , August 2000 in “Pigment cell research”

Melanocyte activity in hair follicles is linked to the hair growth cycle, being active in growth phases and inactive in rest phases.

research Melanogenesis During the Anagen-Catagen-Telogen Transformation of the Murine Hair Cycle

161 citations , June 1994 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Hair stops producing melanin as it transitions from the growth phase to the resting phase.

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Morphogenesis, Growth Cycle, and Molecular Regulation of Hair Follicles

Wnt10b Promotes Differentiation of Mouse Hair Follicle Melanocytes

Research cited in this study

research Adenovirus-Mediated Wnt10b Overexpression Induces Hair Follicle Regeneration

research Coordinated Activation of Wnt in Epithelial and Melanocyte Stem Cells Initiates Pigmented Hair Regeneration

research Melanocyte Stem Cells: A Melanocyte Reservoir in Hair Follicles for Hair and Skin Pigmentation

research Activation of Beta-Catenin Signaling Programs Embryonic Epidermis to Hair Follicle Fate

research Promotion of Hair Follicle Development and Trichogenesis by Wnt-10b in Cultured Embryonic Skin and Reconstituted Skin

research Hair Follicle Pigmentation: Mechanisms and Factors Influencing Melanin Production

research Melanocyte Subpopulation Turnover During the Human Hair Cycle: An Immunohistochemical Study

research Melanogenesis During the Anagen-Catagen-Telogen Transformation of the Murine Hair Cycle

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research Melanocyte Stem Cells: A Melanocyte Reservoir in Hair Follicles for Hair and Skin Pigmentation

research Functionally Distinct Melanocyte Populations Revealed by Reconstitution of Hair Follicles in Mice

research Hair Follicle Expression of 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D3 Receptors During the Murine Hair Cycle

research Melanocyte Subpopulation Turnover During the Human Hair Cycle: An Immunohistochemical Study