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ISX9, a small molecule targeting Axin, activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling and promotes hair regrowth
  • +9
  • Sapna Sayed,
  • Jiaxing Song,
  • Ling Wang,
  • Boxin Liu,
  • Zijie Su,
  • Li Huan,
  • Vivian Weiwen Xue,
  • Shan-Shan Liu,
  • Xianxiong Chen,
  • Guangqian Zhou,
  • Qi Sun,
  • Desheng Lu
Sapna Sayed
Shenzhen University

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Jiaxing Song
Shenzhen University
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Ling Wang
Shenzhen University
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Boxin Liu
Shenzhen University
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Zijie Su
Shenzhen University
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Li Huan
Shenzhen University
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Vivian Weiwen Xue
Shenzhen University
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Shan-Shan Liu
Shenzhen University
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Xianxiong Chen
Shenzhen University
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Guangqian Zhou
Shenzhen University
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Qi Sun
Shenzhen University
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Desheng Lu
Shenzhen University
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Abstract

Background and Purpose: ISX9 is a neurogenesis-promoting small molecule compound which can upregulate the expression of NeuroD1 and induce differentiation of neuronal, cardiac and islet endocrine progenitors. So far, the molecular mechanisms underlying the action of ISX9 still remain elusive. Experimental Approach: To identify a novel agonist of the Wnt/β‐catenin, a cell-based SuperTOPFlash reporter system was used to screen known-compound libraries. An activation effect of ISX9 on the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway was analysed with the SuperTOPFlash or SuperFOPFlash reporter system. Effects of ISX9 on Axin1/LRP6 interaction were examined using a mammalian two-hybrid system, co‐immunoprecipitation, microscale thermophoresis (MST), emission spectra and mass spectroscopy assays. The expression of Wnt target and stemmness marker genes were evaluated with real‐time PCR and immunoblotting. In vivo hair regeneration abilities of ISX9 were analysed by immunohistochemical staining, real‐time PCR and immunoblotting in hair regrowth model using C57BL/6J mice. Key Results: In this study, ISX9 was identified as a novel agonist of the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. ISX9 targeted Axin1 by covalently binding to its N-terminal region and potentiated the LRP6-Axin1 interaction, thereby resulting in the stabilization of β‐catenin and upregulation of Wnt target genes and stemmness marker genes. Moreover, the topical application of ISX9 markedly promoted hair regrowth in C57BL/6J mice and induced hair follicle transition from telogen to anagen via enhancing Wnt/β‐catenin pathway. Conclusions and Implications: Taken together, our study unraveled that ISX9 could activate Wnt/β‐catenin signaling by potentiating the association between LRP6 and Axin1, and may be a promising therapeutic agent for alopecia treatment
14 Aug 2022Submitted to British Journal of Pharmacology
23 Aug 2022Submission Checks Completed
23 Aug 2022Assigned to Editor
19 Sep 2022Reviewer(s) Assigned
20 Oct 2022Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
28 Oct 2022Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
23 Dec 20221st Revision Received
09 Jan 2023Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
09 Jan 2023Submission Checks Completed
09 Jan 2023Assigned to Editor
12 Jan 2023Editorial Decision: Accept