Cortical Cell Types and Intermediate Filament Arrangements Correlate with Fiber Curvature in Japanese Human Hair
April 2009
in “
Journal of structural biology
”
TLDR Hair curvature in Japanese people is linked to specific cell types and filament arrangements in the hair cortex.
The study investigated the structural biology of naturally straight and curved hair from Japanese women, focusing on the correlation between cortical cell types, intermediate filament (IF) arrangements, and fiber curvature. Using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence light microscopy (FLM), the researchers classified cortical cells into four types (A, B, C, and D). Types A and B resembled orthocortex cells in wool, while Types C and D were similar to meso- and paracortical cells but with distinct differences. The study concluded that the distribution and arrangement of these cortical cells and their IFs influence hair curvature, providing a possible mechanism for how these structural features contribute to hair shape.
View this study on sciencedirect.com →
Discuss this study in the Community →
Cited in this study
6 / resultsresearch Characterization of curved hair of Japanese women with reference to internal structures and amino acid composition.
Japanese women's curved hair has an uneven internal structure and varying amino acid composition.
research Human hair keratin network and curvature
Curly hair shape is due to uneven growth patterns in the hair follicle.
research Characterization of a First Domain of Human High Glycine-Tyrosine and High Sulfur Keratin-associated Protein (KAP) Genes on Chromosome 21q22.1
Researchers mapped and categorized specific keratin-associated protein genes on human chromosome 21q22.1.
research In Vitro Assembly and Structure of Trichocyte Keratin Intermediate Filaments
Scientists successfully created mouse hair proteins in the lab, which are stable and similar to natural hair.
![The Cytology and Cytochemistry of the Wool Follicle](/images/research/38c5876c-38c7-47b1-9bde-919cbe03e924/small/29788.jpg)
research The Cytology and Cytochemistry of the Wool Follicle
Wool follicles are complex, involving interactions between different cell types and structures.
![ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES OF HAIR AND WOOL](/images/research/5affd59c-9aa9-4b14-aafc-f78234ac146e/small/29807.jpg)
research ELECTRON MICROSCOPE STUDIES OF HAIR AND WOOL
Hair and wool have complex microscopic structures with microfibrils and varying cystine content.