Novel recombinant R-spondin1 promotes hair regeneration by targeting the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway Recombinant R-spondin1 promotes hair regeneration

• Published in: Acta biochimica et biophysica Sinica Vol. 55; no. 8; pp. 1213 - 1221
• Main Authors: Chen, Yijun, Lu, Zhujin, Feng, Jiaxin, Chen, Zefeng, Liu, Zejian, Wang, Xiuqi, Yan, Huichao, Gao, Chunqi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 20.07.2023
• ISSN: 1672-9145; 1745-7270
• DOI: 10.3724/abbs.2023112

Roof plate-specific spondin 1 (R-spondin1, RSPO1) is a Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activator that binds with Wnt ligands to stimulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which is key to hair regeneration. However, it is not clear whether recombinant RSPO1 (rRSPO1) affects hair regeneration. Here, we treat C57BL/6 male mice with rRSPO1 and investigate the expression of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and the activation of hair follicle stem cells in the dorsal skin. The mouse skin color score and hair-covered area are determined to describe hair growth, and the skin samples are subjected to H&E staining, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining to evaluate hair follicle development and the expressions of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins. We find that rRSPO1 activates mouse hair follicle stem cells (mHFSCs) and accelerates hair regeneration. rRSPO1 increases the hair-covered area, the number of hair follicles, and the hair follicle diameter and length. Moreover, rRSPO1 enhances the activity of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related proteins and the expressions of HFSC markers, as well as mHFSC viability. These results indicate that subcutaneous injection of rRSPO1 can improve hair follicle development by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway, thereby promoting hair regeneration. This study demonstrates that rRSPO1 has the potential to treat hair loss by activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.