CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Disruption of Fibroblast Growth Factor 5 in Rabbits Results in a Systemic Long Hair Phenotype by Prolonging Anagen

March 2020 in “ Genes ”

Yuxin Xu, Hongmei Li, Hui‐Lin Pan, Xinyue Wang, Yuxin Zhang, Bing Yao, Nannan Li, Liangxue Lai, Zhanjun Li

CRISPR/Cas9 Fibroblast Growth Factor 5 FGF5 anagen phase hair cycle BMP2 BMP4 VERSICAN hair follicle clusters CRISPR hair growth phase hair growth cycle bone morphogenetic protein 2 bone morphogenetic protein 4 hair follicles

TLDR Disrupting the FGF5 gene in rabbits leads to longer hair by extending the hair growth phase.

The study used CRISPR/Cas9 to disrupt the first exon of the FGF5 gene in rabbits, resulting in a systemic long hair phenotype by prolonging the anagen phase of the hair cycle. This confirmed FGF5 as a negative regulator of hair growth. The FGF5-/- rabbits exhibited decreased hair fiber diameter and a higher proportion of hair follicle clusters compared to wild-type rabbits. The long hair phenotype was associated with decreased BMP2/4 pathway signaling and increased VERSICAN pathway signaling. These findings suggest potential applications in fur production and provide a model for studying long hair mechanisms.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells as In Vitro Screening Model for Hair Growth

76 citations, August 2018 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

Dermal Papilla cells are a promising tool for evaluating hair growth treatments.

research The Disrupted Balance Between Hair Follicles and Sebaceous Glands in Hoxc13-Ablated Rabbits

18 citations, August 2018 in “The FASEB journal”

Rabbits lacking the Hoxc13 gene show similar hair and skin issues to humans with ECTD-9, making them good for research on this condition.

research CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Loss of FGF5 Function Increases Wool Staple Length in Sheep

47 citations, June 2017 in “The FEBS journal”

Disabling the FGF5 gene in sheep leads to longer wool.

Fibroblast Growth Factor 5-Short (FGF5s) Inhibits the Activity of FGF5 in Primary and Secondary Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells of Cashmere Goats

research Fibroblast Growth Factor 5-Short (FGF5s) Inhibits the Activity of FGF5 in Primary and Secondary Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells of Cashmere Goats

42 citations, September 2015 in “Gene”

FGF5s can block the effects of FGF5, which may help control hair growth in cashmere goats.

research Congenital generalized hypertrichosis: the skin as a clue to complex malformation syndromes

53 citations, August 2015 in “The Italian Journal of Pediatrics/Italian journal of pediatrics”

research FGF5 Is a Crucial Regulator of Hair Length in Humans

136 citations, July 2014 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

FGF5 gene mutations cause unusually long eyelashes by affecting hair growth regulation.

research Characterization of Hairless (Hr) and FGF5 Genes Provides Insights into the Molecular Basis of Hair Loss in Cetaceans

50 citations, February 2013 in “BMC evolutionary biology”

Cetaceans lost hair due to changes in the Hr and FGF5 genes.

research Estrogen Leads to Reversible Hair Cycle Retardation Through Inducing Premature Catagen and Maintaining Telogen

42 citations, July 2012 in “PLOS ONE”

Estrogen can temporarily slow down hair growth but this can be reversed.

research The Long And The Short Of It: Evidence That FGF5 Is A Major Determinant Of Canine Hair-Itability

73 citations, June 2006 in “Animal genetics”

The FGF5 gene determines hair length in dogs.

research The Hair Cycle

375 citations, February 2006 in “Journal of Cell Science”

The document concludes that the hair cycle is a complex process involving growth, regression, and rest phases, regulated by various molecular signals.

research Hair Cycle-Specific Expression of Versican in Human Hair Follicles

88 citations, May 2005 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Versican, a protein, is less present in thinning hair follicles and this decrease might contribute to common hair loss in men.

research BMP Signaling in the Control of Skin Development and Hair Follicle Growth

165 citations, December 2004 in “Differentiation”

BMP signaling is crucial for skin and hair growth.

research The Hair Cycle on the Human Thigh and Upper Arm

67 citations, July 1985 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Men's thigh hair grows longer and has a longer growth cycle than women's, but arm hair growth is similar between genders.

research Endocrine Influences on Hair Growth

68 citations, March 1965 in “The BMJ”

Hormones and genetics affect hair growth and patterns, with some changes reversible and others not.

Related Research

3 / 3 results

Morphogenesis, Growth Cycle, and Molecular Regulation of Hair Follicles

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Disruption of Fibroblast Growth Factor 5 in Rabbits Results in a Systemic Long Hair Phenotype by Prolonging Anagen

Research cited in this study

research Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells as In Vitro Screening Model for Hair Growth

research The Disrupted Balance Between Hair Follicles and Sebaceous Glands in Hoxc13-Ablated Rabbits

research CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Loss of FGF5 Function Increases Wool Staple Length in Sheep

research Fibroblast Growth Factor 5-Short (FGF5s) Inhibits the Activity of FGF5 in Primary and Secondary Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells of Cashmere Goats

research Congenital generalized hypertrichosis: the skin as a clue to complex malformation syndromes

research FGF5 Is a Crucial Regulator of Hair Length in Humans

research Characterization of Hairless (Hr) and FGF5 Genes Provides Insights into the Molecular Basis of Hair Loss in Cetaceans

research Estrogen Leads to Reversible Hair Cycle Retardation Through Inducing Premature Catagen and Maintaining Telogen

research The Long And The Short Of It: Evidence That FGF5 Is A Major Determinant Of Canine Hair-Itability

research The Hair Cycle

research Hair Cycle-Specific Expression of Versican in Human Hair Follicles

research BMP Signaling in the Control of Skin Development and Hair Follicle Growth

research The Hair Cycle on the Human Thigh and Upper Arm

research Endocrine Influences on Hair Growth

Related Community Posts Join

community CRISPR Is Curing People Right Now. Genetic Hair Loss is Next?

community I believe CRISPR-on & CRISPR-off is an ultimate CURE for baldness, unlike Hair Cloning or hair loss treatments.

community Why is nobody studying the difference between donor and balding hair?

community Target Area Hair Count (TAHC) increase comparasion of all future treatments in clinical trial phases

community CRISPR treatment for AGA on the horizon after approval for blood disorders

community Innovative hair loss treatment can restore 90% of lost hair

Related Research

research Morphogenesis, Growth Cycle, and Molecular Regulation of Hair Follicles

research Expression of matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases in the hair cycle

research Dermal Papilla-Derived Wnt Ligands Are Required for Adult Hair Follicle Growth