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

Scientific Claim

WNT signaling in the hair follicle niche is associated with melanocyte stem cell differentiation in mice.

Original Statement

“WNT ligands are upregulated in the HG at anagen onset to promote McSC differentiation.”

From study:Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Evidence Quality Assessment

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 'promotes' to avoid causal language, aligning with non-causal evidence guidelines.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Cohort Study

Animal

2023 Apr

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Score: 16

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05960-6

Similar Assertions

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

95%

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

77%

When mouse hair is repeatedly plucked, more pigment cells get stuck in the bulge area (from 10% to 50% of follicles), and these stuck cells don't help make new hair color.

72%