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Review
. 2012 Oct;23(8):917-27.
doi: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2012.08.011. Epub 2012 Aug 31.

Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions during hair follicle morphogenesis and cycling

Rachel Sennett  1 , Michael Rendl
Affiliations
Review

Mesenchymal-epithelial interactions during hair follicle morphogenesis and cycling

Rachel Sennett et al. Semin Cell Dev Biol. 2012 Oct.

Abstract

Embryonic hair follicle induction and formation are regulated by mesenchymal-epithelial interactions between specialized dermal cells and epidermal stem cells that switch to a hair fate. Similarly, during postnatal hair growth, communication between mesenchymal dermal papilla cells and surrounding epithelial matrix cells coordinates hair shaft production. Adult hair follicle regeneration in the hair cycle again is thought to be controlled by activating signals originating from the mesenchymal compartment and acting on hair follicle stem cells. Although many signaling pathways are implicated in hair follicle formation and growth, the precise nature, timing, and intersection of these inductive and regulatory signals remains elusive. The goal of this review is to summarize our current understanding and to discuss recent new insights into mesenchymal-epithelial interactions during hair follicle morphogenesis and cycling.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Mesenchymal-epithelial signal exchange during hair follicle induction. Developmental stages (A–E) are represented schematically. A. Epidermal Wnts activate dermal Wnt/β-catenin signaling. B. Unknown dermal signal(s) induce an epidermal response leading to placode formation. C. Activating (green) and inhibitory (red) signals from placodes and dermal condensates (DP precursors) consolidate pattern formation through reinforcing placode/DP fate and lateral inhibition on neighboring epidermis. The network diagram depicts known hierarchies and regulatory connections between signaling pathways (as described in text). D,E. Signals regulating hair downgrowth at hair germ and peg stages.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Signaling between matrix and DP during hair follicle growth. Multiple positive and negative regulators are in both compartments that may also signal in an autocrine fashion.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Signals regulating stem cell quiescence and activation during the hair cycle. Bmp2/4 from DP/adipose tissue and Fgf18 from bulge/DP inhibit stem cell activation. Activation of Wnt signaling in the bulge and secreted Fgf7/10 and Bmp inhibitors from the DP activate stem cells to re-grow a new follicle during hair regeneration.
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