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Hair follicle specific ACVR1/ALK2 critically affects skin morphogenesis and attenuates wound healing

Michael Sorkin1, Shailesh Agarwal1, Kavitha Ranganathan1

  • 1Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Wound Repair and Regeneration : Official Publication of the Wound Healing Society [And] the European Tissue Repair Society
|May 18, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Overexpression of BMP receptor ALK2 in hair follicle stem cells disrupts skin development and impairs wound healing. This highlights ALK2

Area of Science:

  • Stem cell biology
  • Dermatology
  • Molecular signaling

Background:

  • Bone morphogenic protein (BMP) signaling regulates stem cell quiescence via BMP receptors.
  • Hair follicle stem cells are crucial for skin homeostasis and regeneration.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of BMP receptor ALK2/ACVR1 in hair follicle stem cells during skin development and wound healing using a novel mouse model.

Main Methods:

  • Generated a mouse model with targeted overexpression of ALK2 in hair follicle stem cells.
  • Performed histologic evaluation of skin development and wound healing.
  • Assessed stem cell proliferation and marker expression (CD34, ITGA6).

Main Results:

  • Mutant mice showed dysregulated hair follicle morphogenesis with altered morphology and localization.
  • Increased hair follicle stem cell proliferation and prevalence of CD34/ITGA6 positive cells were observed.
  • Constitutive ALK2 overexpression attenuated cutaneous wound healing.

Conclusions:

  • Hair follicle-specific ALK2 is essential for maintaining the stem cell niche.
  • ALK2 plays a critical role in hair follicle development and skin wound healing.

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