Regulation of hair growth and development by Wnt signaling pathway

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K10133
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Dermatology
• Research Institution: Nara Medical University
• Principal Investigator: Ouji Yukiteru 奈良県立医科大学, 医学部, 准教授 (50343421)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: 発毛 / Wnt / 細胞 / 培養 / 移植 / 幹細胞 / 毛乳頭 / マウス

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In order to control the growth and development of hair, it is necessary to identify the key factors and analyze their roles on trichogenesis. In the present study, I focused on Wnts and examined their expression in the hair growth stages and effects on the hair development using mouse follicle epithelial stem cells (EpSCs), dermal papilla cells (DPCs), isolated hair follicle organs and dorsal skin tissues. Various Wnts and Wnt-related molecules were found to be expressed apparently in complicated manners in the skin at each stage of hair development. Furthermore, some Wnts showed different effects of cell proliferation and gene expressions in cells, organs, and tissues. More precise expression analysis of the differences among Wnts was considered to lead to the identification of specifically important Wnt(s) in the respective stages of hair development and the control of trichogenesis.

Free Research Field

再生医学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は、発毛現象に重要と考えられているWntシグナルに焦点を絞り、その発現を変化させ、発毛を制御するというコンセプトである。これは、従来の発毛研究（育毛剤開発・植毛等）とは全く異なり、分子レベルで発毛を制御するという特色があり、学術的には発毛メカニズムの解明し、社会的には脱毛治療薬の開発に寄与できると考えられる。