In Vivo Effects of Epidermal Growth Factor on Epidermal Pattern Formation and Hair Follicle Initiation in the Marsupial Bandicoot Isoodon Macrourus

The study investigated the effects of murine epidermal growth factor (mEGF) on skin pattern formation and hair follicle initiation in the marsupial bandicoot, Isoodon macrourus. Subcutaneous injections of mEGF were administered to the bandicoots, which inhibited the formation of hair follicles, sweat glands, sebaceous glands, and dermal papillae. The typical trio follicle grouping was disrupted, and follicle rudiment densities were significantly lower, although follicle diameters increased. These findings suggested that the EGF receptor and its ligands might play a role in epidermal pattern formation in vertebrate skin.