α3β1-Integrin Regulates Hair Follicle But Not Interfollicular Morphogenesis in Adult Epidermis

The study from July 1, 2003, focused on the role of α3β1-integrin in adult skin morphogenesis, with a particular emphasis on hair follicle development. The researchers discovered that α3β1-integrin is not necessary for the differentiation of adult interfollicular epidermal cells but is essential for maintaining normal hair follicle morphology and function. In α3-integrin-deficient skin grafts, hair follicles showed severe abnormalities such as stunted growth, increased fragility, aberrant pigment accumulation, and clustering, which were attributed to defects in keratinocyte cytoskeletal organization and lamina densa integrity. The study included 11-15 skin grafts per genotype and over 320 follicles per genotype, providing robust data to support these conclusions. It was determined that α3β1-integrin is critical for hair follicle maintenance and morphogenesis, particularly during the catagen phase of the hair cycle, by regulating cytoskeleton organization and maintaining the structural integrity of hair follicles.