Alkaline Ceramidase 1 Protects Mice from Premature Hair Loss by Maintaining the Homeostasis of Hair Follicle Stem Cells

October 2017 in “ Stem Cell Reports ”

Chih‐Li Lin, Ruijuan Xu, Jae Kyo Yi, Fang Li, Jiang Chen, Evan Jones, Jordan B. Slutsky, Liqun Huang, Basil Rigas, Jian Cao, Xiaoming Zhong, Ashley J. Snider, Lina M. Obeid, Yusuf A. Hannun, Cungui Mao

The study demonstrated that the alkaline ceramidase 1 (ACER1) gene was crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) in mice by regulating ceramide metabolism. Mice deficient in the Acer1 gene exhibited elevated levels of ceramides and sphingoid bases, leading to progressive hair loss. The loss of Acer1 resulted in a widened follicular infundibulum and a reduction in HFSC survival and stemness. These findings suggested that ACER1 was essential for preserving the structure and function of hair follicles by controlling ceramide metabolism in the epidermis.

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