The Developmental Basis of Fingerprint Pattern Formation and Variation
March 2023
in “
Cell
”
TLDR Fingerprints form uniquely before birth due to specific genetic pathways and local signals.
Fingerprints are unique patterns formed prenatally through a truncated hair follicle developmental program without mesenchymal condensate recruitment. Their spatial pattern is established by a Turing reaction-diffusion system involving EDAR, WNT, and BMP pathways, leading to bands of epithelial proliferation. Ridge formation occurs in waves from variable initiation sites influenced by local signaling and digit anatomy, resulting in the diverse and unique fingerprint patterns.
