Sonic hedgehog
Sonic hedgehog has been studied in 8 papers since 2012: none in people yet, 4 in animals, 3 in cells, 1 review; 1 in the past year. The research so far is in animals and cells. The newest paper, Aug 3, 2026: “Synergistic SHH activation and BMP inhibition remodel progenitor niche for enhanced hair cell generation”.
InterventionPreclinical
8 papers study it12 findingsUpdated
See all 8 papers on sonic hedgehog
At a glance
The findings reach mice, none yet in people. 6 independent labs in 3 countries.
1 of its findings points the other way.
- 6 independent labs in 3 countries
- 1 finding against
- Funders: National Institutes of Health and others
- 2 of 12 findings with company ties
- Animals4
- Cells3
What did studies of sonic hedgehog find?
11Studies of sonic hedgehog measured 11 outcomes, among them cellular senescence, Supporting cell identity and Inner ear developmental gene programs.
Cellular senescence
upin human cells1downin mice1
2 studies
Cellular senescence
upin human cells1downin mice1
Sonic hedgehog induces cellular senescence in human cells (autocrine treatment).
“SHH autocrine treatment of osteoarthritis MSC stimulates proliferation, chondrogenesis, hypertrophy, and replicative senescence with elevated SASP gene expression”
Cellsautocrine treatment
Frontiers in cell and developmental biology
Sonic hedgehog decreases cellular senescence in mice (irradiation-induced hyposalivation mouse model).
“Shh gene transfer repressed IR-induced cellular senescence by promoting DNA repair and decreasing oxidative stress”
Animalsirradiation-induced hyposalivation mouse modeladenoviral vector carrying Shhsubmandibular gland
Theranostics
Supporting cell identity
downin cells1
1 study
Supporting cell identity
downin cells1
Sonic hedgehog decreases supporting cell identity in cells (combined with bmp inhibition, shown by single-cell RNA sequencing).
“This strategy drives progenitor reprogramming by activating inner ear developmental gene programs while suppressing supporting cell identity.”
Cellscombined with bmp inhibition, shown by single-cell RNA sequencing
Science China. Life sciences
Inner ear developmental gene programs
upin cells1
1 study
Inner ear developmental gene programs
upin cells1
Sonic hedgehog activates inner ear developmental gene programs in cells (combined with bmp inhibition, shown by single-cell RNA sequencing).
“This strategy drives progenitor reprogramming by activating inner ear developmental gene programs while suppressing supporting cell identity.”
Cellscombined with bmp inhibition, shown by single-cell RNA sequencing
Science China. Life sciences
Hair cell differentiation efficiency
upin cells1
1 study
Hair cell differentiation efficiency
upin cells1
Sonic hedgehog increases hair cell differentiation efficiency in cells (combined with bmp inhibition) (50.83%±1.76%).
“This dual signaling approach generated high-purity Sox2+/Ki67+ IEPCs from postnatal day 7 (P7) supporting cells with 50.83%±1.76% hair cell differentiation efficiency.”
Cellscombined with bmp inhibition
Science China. Life sciences
Apoptosis
upin human cells1
1 study
Apoptosis
upin human cells1
Sonic hedgehog induces apoptosis in human cells (paracrine treatment).
“SHH paracrine treatment of OAC suppresses COL2A1, stimulates MMP13, and induces chondrocyte apoptosis.”
Cellsparacrine treatment
Frontiers in cell and developmental biology
Endometrial stem cell function
upin human cells1
1 study
Endometrial stem cell function
upin human cells1
Sonic hedgehog improves endometrial stem cell function in human cells (aging-associated decline in endometrial stem cell function).
“exogenous SHH treatment significantly alleviates various aging-associated declines in multiple endometrial stem cell functions”
Cellsaging-associated decline in endometrial stem cell functionexogenous
Molecular therapy : the journal of the American Society of Gene Therapy
ROCK1
upin rats1
1 study
ROCK1
upin rats1
Sonic hedgehog increases ROCK1 in rats.
“ROCK1 was induced with SHH treatment”
Animalsmajor pelvic ganglion/cavernous nerve
Experimental neurology
Neurite formation
upin rats1
1 study
Neurite formation
upin rats1
Sonic hedgehog increases neurite formation in rats (uninjured MPG/CN organ culture) (5.7-fold aged, 3.5-fold adult).
“SHH treatment increased neurites 3.5-fold, in uninjured adult, and 5.7-fold in aged rats”
Animalsuninjured MPG/CN organ cultureAffi-Gel beadsmajor pelvic ganglion/cavernous nerve3 days
Experimental neurology
Oxidative stress and ROS signaling
downin mice1
1 study
Oxidative stress and ROS signaling
downin mice1
Sonic hedgehog decreases oxidative stress and ROS signaling in mice (irradiation-induced hyposalivation mouse model).
“Shh gene transfer repressed IR-induced cellular senescence by promoting DNA repair and decreasing oxidative stress”
Animalsirradiation-induced hyposalivation mouse modeladenoviral vector carrying Shhsubmandibular gland
Theranostics
DNA repair
upin mice1
1 study
DNA repair
upin mice1
Sonic hedgehog increases DNA repair in mice (irradiation-induced hyposalivation mouse model).
“Shh gene transfer repressed IR-induced cellular senescence by promoting DNA repair and decreasing oxidative stress”
Animalsirradiation-induced hyposalivation mouse modeladenoviral vector carrying Shhsubmandibular gland
Theranostics