β-Catenin activation regulates tissue growth non-cell autonomously in the hair stem cell niche

Science. 2014 Mar 21;343(6177):1353-6. doi: 10.1126/science.1248373.

Abstract

Wnt/β-catenin signaling is critical for tissue regeneration. However, it is unclear how β-catenin controls stem cell behaviors to coordinate organized growth. Using live imaging, we show that activation of β-catenin specifically within mouse hair follicle stem cells generates new hair growth through oriented cell divisions and cellular displacement. β-Catenin activation is sufficient to induce hair growth independently of mesenchymal dermal papilla niche signals normally required for hair regeneration. Wild-type cells are co-opted into new hair growths by β-catenin mutant cells, which non-cell autonomously activate Wnt signaling within the neighboring wild-type cells via Wnt ligands. This study demonstrates a mechanism by which Wnt/β-catenin signaling controls stem cell-dependent tissue growth non-cell autonomously and advances our understanding of the mechanisms that drive coordinated regeneration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Division
  • Hair / growth & development*
  • Hair Follicle / cytology*
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism*
  • Ligands
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Mutation
  • Stem Cell Niche
  • Stem Cells / cytology
  • Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology
  • Up-Regulation
  • Wnt Proteins / genetics
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism
  • Wnt Signaling Pathway*
  • beta Catenin / genetics
  • beta Catenin / metabolism*

Substances

  • Ligands
  • Wnt Proteins
  • beta Catenin
  • Tamoxifen