Immunolocalization of beta-catenin and Lef-1 during postnatal hair follicle development in mice

It is well recognized that the Wnt pathway, in which beta-catenin and Lef-1 are important factors, is associated with many physiological processes, including embryogenesis and postnatal development. The Wnt pathway also plays a critical role in the development of skin. It regulates the formation of the dorsal dermis and epidermal appendages in the skin and the activity of epithelial stem cells. In this study, we investigated the presence and localization of beta-catenin and Lef-1 in murine hair follicles through the first postnatal month, which encompasses the first hair cycle in mice, using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry. Our results show that beta-catenin and Lef-1 are expressed during all stages in a hair cycle, most strongly in the anagen and weakly in the catagen and telogen phases. The results also suggest that the beta-catenin-Lef-1 complex may regulate hair follicle cycling. This process will be of considerable interest to future studies. (c) 2012 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.