Scientists at USC identify new mechanism that controls activation of hair stem cells

Hair Loss Remedy Articles : Scientists at USC identify new mechanism that controls activation of hair stem cells

Group of researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) have identified new mechanism that controls cyclic activation of hair follicle stem cells. They have shown that signaling proteins - BMPs (bone morphogenetic proteins) provide basis for coordinated stem cell activity during hair regeneration. This study is published in the Jan. 17 issue of the journal Nature: Cyclic dermal BMP signalling regulates stem cell activation during hair regeneration

Findings revealed in the study have important implications for stem cell research and in understanding how stem cell activity is regulated during regeneration, says Dr. Cheng-Ming Chuong, principal investigator and professor of pathology at USC.

“Hairs are an important model for organ regeneration in mammals because it is one of the only organs that regenerates on a regular basis,” Chuong says. “The research presents major possibilities for hair re-growth and ultimately organ regeneration.”

Mice on this picture form curiously shaped patterns of regenerating hairs due to the newly identified mechanism of macro-environmental control of hair follicle stem cells activation

By studying hair regeneration cycles in animal models, researchers found that hairs tended to regenerate as large groups, rather than individually (see on the accompanying picture). The findings suggest that stem cells are not regulated only within one hair, as has previously been thought, but also by neighboring hairs and skin dermis, says Dr. Maksim Plikus, the lead author of the study.

Expression of BMPs in the skin macro-environment appears to activate the mechanism for hair stem cell coordination. When many hairs regenerate, they must communicate activation signals amongst themselves. At different times the macro-environment can be either permissive or suppressive of stem cell activity.

“Our research shows that formation of new tissues or organs from stem cells—such as the formation of new hairs — can be more robust if it occurs in a permissive skin macro-environment,” Dr. Maksim Plikus says. “I hope that our research will draw more attention to the hair follicle as the model for physiological regeneration in mammals, and as an abundant source of adult stem cells.”

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