Effects of a Closed Space Environment on Gene Expression in Hair Follicles of Astronauts in the International Space Station

March 2016 in “ PloS one ”

Masahiro Terada, Masayuki Seki, Rika Takahashi, Shin Yamada, Akira Higashibata, Hideyuki J. Majima, Masamichi Sudoh, Chiaki Mukai, Noriaki Ishioka

gene expression hair follicles skin atrophy hair follicle cycle FGF18 hair growth skin health

TLDR Spaceflight changes how genes work in astronauts' hair follicles, possibly affecting hair growth.

The study investigated the effects of a closed space environment on gene expression in hair follicles of astronauts aboard the International Space Station. It found that prolonged exposure to space conditions might induce skin atrophy and dysregulate the hair follicle cycle, similar to findings in space-flown mice. The results suggested that the space environment could impact hair growth and skin health, with potential implications for long-term space missions. The study's findings were consistent with previous research on the function of FGF18 in the hair cycle.

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