Low Molecular Weight Collagen Peptide (LMWCP) Promotes Hair Growth by Activating the Wnt/GSK-3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

• Published in: Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol. 34; no. 1; pp. 17 - 28
• Main Authors: Yujin Kim, Jung Ok Lee, Jung Min Lee, Mun-hoe Lee, Hyeong-min Kim, Hee-chul Chung, Do-un Kim, Jin-hee Lee, Beom Joon Kim
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Korean
• Published: 한국미생물생명공학회 31.01.2024
• Subjects: hDPCs; human dermal papilla cells; LMWCP; low molecular weight collagen peptide; VEGF; Wnt3a; β-catenin
• ISSN: 1017-7825

Low molecular weight collagen peptide (LMWCP) is a collagen hydrolysate derived from fish. We investigated the effects of LMWCP on hair growth using human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), human hair follicles (hHFs), patch assay, and telogenic C57BL/6 mice, while also examining the underlying mechanisms of its action. LMWCP promoted proliferation and mitochondrial potential, and the secretion of hair growth-related factors, such as EGF, HB-EGF, FGF-4, and FGF-6 in hDPCs. Patch assay showed that LMWCP increased the neogeneration of new HFs in a dose-dependent manner. This result correlated with an increase in the expression of dermal papilla (DP) signature genes such as, ALPL, SHH, FGF7, and BMP-2. LMWCP upregulated phosphorylation of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) and β-catenin, and nuclear translocation of β-catenin, and it increased the expression of Wnt3a, LEF1, VEGF, ALP, and β-catenin. LMWCP promoted the growth of hHFs and increased the expression of β-catenin and VEGF. Oral administration of LMWCP to mice significantly stimulated hair growth. The expression of Wnt3a, β-catenin, PCNA, Cyclin D1, and VEGF was also elevated in the back skin of the mice. Furthermore, LMWCP increased the expression of cytokeratin and Keratin Type I and II. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that LMWCP has the potential to increase hair growth via activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.