Ultrastructural Localization and Quantification of Extracellular Calcium Binding Sites in Mouse Vibrissa and Human Scalp Follicles

The study investigated the presence of an extracellular calcium binding site gradient in mouse vibrissa and human scalp follicles, both freshly dissected and cultured, and assessed the impact of hair growth drugs and epidermal growth factor on this gradient. Using lanthanum chloride for analysis, it was found that there was a significant accumulation of lanthanum deposits in the differentiating cells of the hair shaft and inner root sheath at the apex of the follicular bulb, with sparse deposits at the base. This gradient was consistent regardless of treatment with minoxidil, pinacidil, or epidermal growth factor, indicating that these substances did not significantly alter the calcium binding site gradient in the follicles.