Skin cells around the hair follicle make WNT signals that turn on WNT activity in pigment stem cells in mice.

Scientific Claim

Epithelial cells in the hair follicle niche produce WNT ligands that are associated with activating WNT signaling in melanocyte stem cells in mice.

Original Statement

“epithelial-derived WNT ligands have an essential role in McSC WNT activation.”

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design cannot support claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

Uses 'associated with' instead of 'essential role' to avoid causal language, consistent with non-causal evidence guidelines.

Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Cohort Study

Animal

2023 Apr

No contradicting evidence found

WNT signals in the hair follicle are linked to pigment cells turning into mature color-producing cells in mice.

96%

Mouse hair pigment cells move between different parts of the hair follicle and change their state back and forth, which is linked to WNT signaling.

90%

When mouse hair starts growing, pigment stem cells in the hair germ turn on color-making and branch-related genes before they divide.

71%