Beta-Catenin is Associated with Cancer and… New Hair Growth!




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Recently, University Of Michigan researchers have made a curious discovery: beta-catenin, a type of protein which is usually associated with the development of malignant cells, can also stimulate the growth of new hair! This hair growth phenomenon was noticed on experimental adult mice by D. Van Mater, a graduate student who was involved in cancer research funded by the National Cancer Institute. His unexpected hair-growth finding was documented in the journal Genes & Development.

Beta-catenin, as well as other genetic Wnt pathways, is known to take part in the embryonic and after-birth formation and growth of hair follicles. In addition, it is involved in triggering several types of cancers by influencing genetic mutations, especially when the cellular expression of beta-catenin is damaged. According to the new finding, the artificial activation of beta-catenin in an adult organism can also stimulate positive changes in hair follicles, which result in their rejuvenating from the telogen phase, triggering a massive growth of new hair. When beta-catenin is stimulated, resting hair follicles undergo complex changes and make hair enter the stage of rapid growth.

Although the primary purpose of the research was to further investigate the involvement of beta-catenin and Wnts into the development of cancerous tumours, especially hair follicle, colon, ovary, and liver cancers, the hair growth discovery is also very valuable, the researchers say.

The study was conducted on transgenic mice, specially altered by the scientists to produce elevated levels of specific beta-catenin within their hair follicles and skin tissues. During the experiment, genetically altered beta-catenin in mice was activated by the application of 4-OHT, a chemical that “turns on” the signalling activity of Wnts and beta-catenin and makes them trigger a cancerous growth of cells. The experiment was aimed to reveal if cancers could be reversed by subsequent inhibiting of the beta-catenin activity. However, instead of producing tumours after beta-catenin signals had been activated, transgenic mice started rapidly growing hair on their shaved backs! Unlike genetically-altered mice which completely regrew their back hair within several weeks without developing cancer, a control group of normal mice failed to regrow their hair following the application of 4-OHT.

The scientists point out that more experiments are needed to find out the exact mechanisms and possible practical implications of the hair-growth action of beta-catenin. However, preliminary results show that the unusual properties of beta-catenin can be useful in developing entirely new types of medications for treating male-pattern alopecia. Since genetic baldness is caused primarily by hair follicle damage - their shrinking in size and entering the rest phase without further regeneration - a carefully controlled beta-catenin reactivation can result in the rejuvenation of hair follicles and, therefore, complete regrowth of healthy, thick hair.

Christiana Roberts

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Posted on April 17, 2008 
Filed Under Hair Loss News and Statistics, Hair Loss Treatments

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