Hierarchical Patterning Modes Orchestrate Hair Follicle Morphogenesis

July 2017 in “ PLoS Biology ”

James D. Glover, Kirsty L. Wells, Franziska Matthäus, Kevin J. Painter, William Ho, Jon Riddell, Jeanette A. Johansson, Matthew J. Ford, Colin A.B. Jahoda, Václav Klika, Richard L. Mort, Denis J. Headon

hair follicle morphogenesis Turing reaction-diffusion system mesenchymal self-organisation FGF signalling WNT signalling BMP signalling mesenchymal cell condensation epidermal prepattern TGF β signalling chemotactic patterning

Studysummary This study found that hair follicle patterning in development may arise from a combination of epidermal prepattern signals and mesenchymal self-organisation, with fibroblast growth factor and bone morphogenetic protein activities playing key roles.

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The study explored the mechanisms behind hair follicle patterning, focusing on two theories: the Turing reaction-diffusion system and mesenchymal self-organisation. Researchers identified a network of FGF, WNT, and BMP signalling interactions that could spontaneously create periodic patterns. Time-lapse imaging showed that mesenchymal cell condensation at hair follicles was directed by an epidermal prepattern. However, when high FGF and low BMP activity were applied across the skin, mesenchymal cells demonstrated a capacity for self-organisation without epithelial guidance. This self-organisation depended on restricted TGF β signalling, which facilitated chemotactic patterning when reaction-diffusion was suppressed. The study highlighted a hierarchy of patterning modes in organogenesis.

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