Wnt and the first dermal signal initiating embryonic hair development: A mini-review

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms of hair initiation and growth is one of the long-standing research programs in developmental biology. It has been suggested that for decades the existence of an inducing factor in the dermis that is required for the initiation of hair development. Furthermore, various signaling families are involved in the reciprocal interactions between epidermis and dermis during hair follicle initiation and morphogenesis. Among them, the wingless-type MMTV integration site family (Wnt) is probably the earliest and most critical regulator. This review primarily focuses on the role of Wnt signaling in hair follicle induction and its relationship with the first dermal signal that initiates embryonic hair development.

Keywords

• Initial Dermal Signal; Hair Follicle Development; Wnt