Dickkopf-1 is involved in dexamethasone-mediated hair follicle regression

Exp Dermatol. 2017 Oct;26(10):952-954. doi: 10.1111/exd.13308. Epub 2017 Apr 27.

Abstract

The stress-related neurohormones including glucocorticoids (GCs) are secreted by hair follicles (HFs), and GCs suppress murine hair growth in vivo. In this study, we found that dexamethasone (Dex), a synthetic GC, increased the expression of dickkopf-1 (DKK1), a known catagen inducer, in dermal papilla (DP) cells, but not in follicular keratinocytes. The neutralizing DKK1 antibody significantly attenuated the Dex-induced inhibition of human hair shaft elongation. In addition, the neutralizing Dkk1 antibody delayed Dex-induced catagen in mice. Collectively, our data strongly suggest that stress-related neurohormones cause DP cells to secrete DKK1, thereby leading to stress-associated disturbances in hair growth.

Keywords: dermal papilla; dexamethasone; dickkopf 1; hair cycle; hair follicle.

Publication types

  • Letter
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Antibodies, Neutralizing / pharmacology
  • Apoptosis / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Dexamethasone / pharmacology*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression / drug effects
  • Glucocorticoids / pharmacology*
  • Hair / growth & development
  • Hair Follicle / cytology
  • Hair Follicle / drug effects*
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics*
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / immunology
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Keratinocytes / drug effects
  • Keratinocytes / physiology
  • Mice
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid / metabolism
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Antibodies, Neutralizing
  • DKK1 protein, human
  • Dkk1 protein, mouse
  • Glucocorticoids
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • Receptors, Glucocorticoid
  • Dexamethasone