TLDR Mutations in the Vitamin D receptor gene can cause hair loss similar to mutations in the Hairless gene.
The study demonstrated that mutations in the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) gene caused a form of atrichia (hair loss) that was clinically and pathologically indistinguishable from generalized atrichia caused by mutations in the Hairless (HR) gene. The patient exhibited vitamin D resistant rickets and had skin showing an absence of normal hair follicles, similar to individuals with HR mutations. Genetic analysis revealed two mutations in the VDR gene, leading to disrupted hair follicle cycling. The findings suggested that VDR and HR are part of the same genetic pathway controlling postnatal hair follicle cycling, highlighting the need for further research to clarify their roles.
949 citations,
January 2001 in “Cell” Adult mouse skin contains stem cells that can create new hair, skin, and oil glands.
1113 citations,
August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.
126 citations,
October 1998 in “Experimental Dermatology” The hr gene is crucial for skin and hair health, with mutations causing hair disorders.
82 citations,
April 1981 in “Clinical endocrinology” A girl with rickets and hair loss was found to have a rare condition where her body didn't respond to vitamin D treatment.
13 citations,
November 2013 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Vitamin D receptor helps control hair growth genes in skin cells.
12 citations,
February 2008 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Combining skin tissue pathology with genetics has greatly improved the diagnosis and understanding of certain skin diseases.
10 citations,
February 2008 in “Photochemistry and photobiology” Vitamin D receptor can control the hairless gene linked to hair loss even without vitamin D.
78 citations,
November 2005 in “Endocrinology” Hairless protein can block vitamin D activation in skin cells.
53 citations,
May 2010 in “Journal of Cellular Physiology” Mice without Vitamin D receptors have hair growth problems because of issues in the hedgehog signaling pathway.
