Eccrine Sweat Glands Associate With the Human Hair Follicle Within a Defined Compartment of Dermal White Adipose Tissue

In the study by Poblet et al., it was found that eccrine sweat glands (ESGs) are structurally integrated with the pilosebaceous unit (PSU) in human scalp skin, challenging the traditional view of ESGs as separate entities. Utilizing 3D reconstruction imaging and other visualization techniques, the researchers showed that ESGs and hair follicles (HFs) are both embedded within dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT). This suggests that these skin structures form a morphological unit that may interact under various conditions, including wound healing and skin diseases. The study involved specimens from six autopsy cases and 30 follicular unit extractions from six male patients undergoing hair transplants. The findings have potential implications for clinical evaluations and treatments involving skin structures.