Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 8, 2026

Rapid Genetic Analysis of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Signaling During Hair Regeneration
Published on: February 28, 2013
Dickkopf-1 is involved in dexamethasone-mediated hair follicle regression
Mi Hee Kwack1, Jun Ho Lee1, Chang Hoon Seo1
1Department of Immunology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
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.
Related Concept Videos
Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
Folliculogenesis

