Wnt-10b, uniquely among Wnts, promotes epithelial differentiation and shaft growth

Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2008 Mar 7;367(2):299-304. doi: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2007.12.091. Epub 2007 Dec 26.

Abstract

Although Wnts are expressed in hair follicles throughout life from embryo to adult, and considered to be critical for their development and maturation, their roles remain largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the effects of Wnts (Wnt-3a, Wnt-5a, Wnt-10b, and Wnt-11) on epithelial cell differentiation using adult mouse-derived primary skin epithelial cell (MPSEC) cultures and hair growth using hair follicle organ cultures. Only Wnt-10b showed evident promotion of epithelial cell differentiation and hair shaft growth, in contrast to Wnt-3a, 5a, and 11. Our results suggest that Wnt-10b is unique and plays an important role in differentiation of epithelial cells in the hair follicle.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation / physiology
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism*
  • Hair Follicle / cytology*
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C3H
  • Wnt Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Wnt Proteins
  • Wnt10b protein, mouse