Dermal papilla regulation of hair growth and pigmentation

Signaling complexity and regulation during morphogenesis and cycle makes the hair follicle an ideal model to study the stem cell niche formation and regulation. The dermal papilla cells form an instructive niche for the stem cells to form and regenerate the hair follicle. However, dermal papilla cells not only can induce hair growth, they are also important regulators of the hair follicle pigmentation. Thanks to classical studies developed in the 1960s and 1970s, we know that dermal papilla cells can induce hair growth. Since then, we have grown in the understanding of what signals and mechanism are in place for such hair induction. Here, we review the current understanding of the mechanisms and molecular interactions at the time when the hair follicle fate is acquired in morphogenesis and regeneration.