The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Decreases Stathmin 1 and Triggers Catagen Entry in the Mouse

The study investigated the role of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in hair follicle regression (catagen) in mice. Researchers used transcriptional profiling and immunofluorescence to analyze hair follicles from mice with a skin-targeted deletion of Egfr. They found that EGFR activation in follicular keratinocytes was crucial for normal catagen onset. Mice lacking EGFR showed delayed and asynchronous catagen entry, with increased expression of the mitotic regulator Rcc2 and continued proliferation of follicular keratinocytes. Additionally, the mitotic regulator Stathmin 1 was reduced in control follicles but not in Egfr mutants. Deletion of Stmn1 accelerated catagen entry, suggesting that EGFR suppresses mitotic regulators like Rcc2 and Stathmin 1 to induce catagen in mouse skin.