Wound Healing Induced Hair Follicle Regeneration

Abstract

Introduction Adult mammals possess very limited regeneration potential. Wound-induced hair neogenesis (WIHN) is a rare regenerative event observed in mammals, in which de novo hair follicles are formed at the wound site. The phenomenon has been observed more than half a century ago, yet the mechanism remains unclear. Recently, more mechanistic studies have shed light onto the complex cellular signaling and mechanical events during WIHN. Interestingly, many of the mechanisms in WIHN are shared with those found in embryonic hair follicle development. Here we review emerging works regarding WIHN mechanisms and potential clinical applications for hair follicle regeneration and improved wound healing outcomes. Methods For the selection of literature covered in this chapter we used Pubmed database. We used keywords such as wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis, embryonic hair follicle development, scarless regeneration, Wnt signaling, Hedgehog signaling. Results Hair follicles generated in WIHN are formed from non-hair-residing epithelial and dermal cells. Extrinsic signals such as Wnt and Shh shown to promote embryonic hair follicle formation are also crucial players in WIHN. Understanding WIHN mechanisms provides a basis to achieve regenerative wound healing with appendage formation. Conclusions Although there has been much progress in identifying the critical factors that promote adult hair follicle neogenesis, there is a great need for exploring the different cellular behavior and signaling mechanisms involved in WIHN and how they can be applied clinically.KeywordsWoundingRegenerationWound-induced hair neogenesisEmbryonic hair follicleWntShhMechanic transductionFibroblastFibrosisMacrophagesMyofibroblasts