U.S. scientists have discovered adult mice can 
regenerate hair follicles and hair in a study that might help in developing treatments for skin disorders.
The research by George Cotsarelis and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has also helped resolve a 50-year-long controversy and might aid in the design of treatments for both hair loss and degenerative skin problems.
For half a century, most people believed mammalian hair follicles form only during development and that loss of adult follicles is permanent. But the new study shows that is not the case, at least for adult mice with skin wounds.
Wounding, said the researchers, triggers new hair-producing follicles to form. Exposure to Wnt signaling -- a genetic pathway involved in normal hair follicle development and cycling -- following wounding increases the number of regenerated hair follicles. And Wnt signaling inhibition after regrowth of the epithelium prevents new follicles from forming.
The study, said the scientists, suggests mammalian skin can respond to wounding with plasticity and a much greater regenerative capacity than was previously believed.
The research is detailed in the journal Nature.
regenerate hair follicles and hair in a study that might help in developing treatments for skin disorders.The research by George Cotsarelis and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine has also helped resolve a 50-year-long controversy and might aid in the design of treatments for both hair loss and degenerative skin problems.
For half a century, most people believed mammalian hair follicles form only during development and that loss of adult follicles is permanent. But the new study shows that is not the case, at least for adult mice with skin wounds.
Wounding, said the researchers, triggers new hair-producing follicles to form. Exposure to Wnt signaling -- a genetic pathway involved in normal hair follicle development and cycling -- following wounding increases the number of regenerated hair follicles. And Wnt signaling inhibition after regrowth of the epithelium prevents new follicles from forming.
The study, said the scientists, suggests mammalian skin can respond to wounding with plasticity and a much greater regenerative capacity than was previously believed.
The research is detailed in the journal Nature.
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