KY19382, a novel activator of Wnt/β-catenin signaling, promotes hair
re-growth and hair follicle neogenesis
Abstract
Background and Purpose: The promotion of hair regeneration and
growth heavily depends on the activation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in
the hair follicle including dermal papilla (DP). KY19382, one of the
newly synthesized analogs of indirubin-3’-monoxime (I3O) was identified
as a Wnt/β-catenin signaling activator via inhibition of the interaction
between CXXC-type zinc finger protein 5 (CXXC5) and Dishevelled (Dvl)
interaction. Given the close relationship between the Wnt/β-catenin
signaling and hair regeneration, we investigated the effect of KY19382
on hair re-growth and hair follicle neogenesis. Experimental
Approach: In vitro hair induction effects of KY19382 was performed in
human dermal papilla cells. The hair elongation effects of KY19382 was
confirmed through the vibrissa culture system. In vivo hair regeneration
abilities of KY19382 was identified in three models: hair regrowth,
wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis (WIHN), and hair patch assays
using C57BL/6 mice. The hair regeneration abilities were analyzed by
immunoblotting, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and immunohistochemical
staining. Key results: KY19382 activated Wnt/β-catenin
signaling and elevated the expression of ALP and proliferation marker
PCNA in DP cells. KY19382 also increased hair length in ex vivo cultured
mouse vibrissa follicles and induced hair regrowth in mice. Moreover,
KY19382 significantly promoted the generation of de novo hair follicles
as shown by WIHN and hair patch assays. Conclusion and
Implications: These results indicate that KY19382 is a potential
therapeutic drug that exhibits effective hair regeneration ability via
activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling for alopecia treatments.