Chronic expression of p16INK4a in the epidermis induces Wnt-mediated hyperplasia and promotes tumor initiation

Abstract

It is unclear how resident p16-expressing senescent cells affect the propensity of tissues to develop cancer. Here, the authors show that chronic p16 expression in the mouse epidermis causes hyperplasia and dysplasia through Wnt-mediated paracrine stimulation of proliferating keratinocytes, and can contribute to tumour formation.