Enrichment of Specific Hair Follicle-Associated Cell Populations in Plucked Hairs Offers an Opportunity to Study Gene Expression Underlying Hair Traits

The study compared gene expression in plucked hair samples and skin biopsies from horses, finding that plucked hairs are enriched with keratin-related genes, while skin biopsies have more genes involved in cellular processes. Using RNA-seq and qPCR, they identified 14,749 expressed genes, with 3,802 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Plucked hair samples showed higher levels of anagen hair follicle keratinocyte markers, making them suitable for studying hair follicle-related traits. In contrast, skin biopsies captured a broader range of epidermal cells, including immune and vascular cells. The study suggests that plucked hair is a humane and effective alternative for genetic studies of hair traits.