Researchers have been successful in identifying the “novel cyclic signaling in the dermis” which helps in coordinating the stem cell activities and in regulating the regeneration of numerous hairs. Scientists at the ‘University of Southern California’ conducted this research on animal models and could trace out the “signaling switch” that involves ‘bone morphogenetic protein pathway’.

Stem Cell

According to the findings of this study that published in the January 17th issue of the journal “Nature”, this research has far reaching implications in understanding the activities of the stem cell’s regulation process during the regeneration.

Dr. Cheng Ming Chuong, the Principal Investigator said,”The research presents a new dimension for the regulation of hair re-growth and ultimately organ regeneration“.

Hair is one of the few organs of the mammals that keep on generating regularly. This property makes the hair cycling an established model for organ regeneration. Every mammal has many hair follicles and this study an attempt was made to analyze the cyclic regeneration behavior in organs.

Researchers found that hairs generally regenerate in waves and not one by one. The hair stem cells are regulated by the micro-environment within one hair follicle and also by adjacent hair follicles, other skin compartments and systemic hormones, in a hierarchical order. This is in contrast to the earlier research findings.

Analysis at the molecular level indicated that the periodic bone morphogenetic protein expression in the skin macro-environment is most probably the major mechanism for coordinated hair stem cell activation. The process of regeneration must be developing a system of communication with activation signals among the hairs. For stem cells this type of micro-communication set up could be either permissive or suppressive in nature.

The research also demonstrates that the new tissue or organ formation like hairs from the stem cells could be even more robust in a conducive and permissive macro-communication environment. Dr. Maksim Plikus feels that this research will lead to the discovery of sources of the adult cells for future development of stem cell therapies.

This research will also pave the way for further development of a skin based model for tumor growth and drug delivery.”Understanding this unexpected dynamics of the living mouse skin will help their experimental designs“, said Dr. Cheng Ming Chuong.

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