Ectodysplasin Signaling in Cutaneous Appendage Development: Dose, Duration, and Diversity

Cui et al. investigated the role of ectodysplasin (EDA) signaling in the development of skin appendages, such as hair follicles and sweat glands, emphasizing the importance of EDA dose and duration. They found that primary hair follicles required sustained EDA signaling beyond initial placode formation, while secondary and tertiary follicles needed less EDA. EDA signaling was also crucial for sweat gland maturation. Variations in EDA intensity influenced hair characteristics, contributing to the diversity of cutaneous appendages. The study highlighted that hair follicle development became independent of EDA after dermal papilla formation, but the exact stage for sweat gland independence was unknown.