Regulatory effect of β-catenin on proliferation of hair follicle stem cells involves PI3K/Akt pathway

Summaryβ-catenin signaling is required for hair follicle development and regeneration which are involved in the resuscitation of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). To further characterize the role of β-catenin in the regulation of proliferation of HFSCs, the β-catenin expression was measured in the defined stages of hair follicle cycle and the proliferative potency was determined by using an in vitro cell growth assay. Our results showed that activation of β-catenin correlated with HFSCs proliferation, which appeared to be mediated by the nuclear translocation of stabilized β-catenin and the activation of responsible cell cycle genes (cyclin D1 and p21). In addition, PI3K/Akt pathway was also involved in the HFSCs proliferation, partly regulated by β-catenin signaling pathway. These results demonstrate that β-catenin is an essential factor in the regulation of HFSCs proliferation via PI3K/Akt pathway and might be a potential therapeutic target for the regulation of the yield of keratinocytes from HFSCs.