Epidermal Retinol Dehydrogenases Cyclically Regulate Stem Cell Markers and Clock Genes and Influence Hair Composition

April 2024 in “ Communications biology ”

Kelli R. Goggans, Olga V. Belyaeva, Alla Klyuyeva, Jacob Studdard, Aja Slay, Ruchi M. Newman, Christine VanBuren, Helen B. Everts, Natalia Y. Kedishvili

retinol dehydrogenases RDHEs Vitamin A metabolism hair follicle cycling hair composition stem cell markers clock genes hair growth awl hairs Vitamin A

Studysummary The researchers reported that disrupting ATRA signaling by deleting RDHE genes in the hair follicle led to altered hair follicle cycles, composition, and gene expression, indicating RDHEs' role in hair follicle signaling coordination.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study investigates the role of retinol dehydrogenases (RDHEs) in hair follicle cycling and hair composition in mice. RDHEs, enzymes involved in Vitamin A metabolism, were found to have fluctuating activity across the hair follicle cycle in a sex-specific manner. Mice lacking these enzymes had accelerated hair cycles and altered hair composition, with an increased percentage of a specific type of hair, awl hairs. The study suggests that RDHEs regulate the expression of hair follicle stem cell markers and molecular clock genes, crucial for hair growth and cycling. The research provides new insights into the role of Vitamin A metabolism in hair growth and could potentially lead to new treatments for hair growth disorders. The study did not specify the total number of mice used.

View this study on nature.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

23 / 23 results

research Vitamin A in Skin and Hair: An Update

14 citations , July 2022 in “Nutrients”

This review discusses new research on the role of retinoids in skin and hair health and reports no clinical results.

research Estrogen Regulates the Expression of Retinoic Acid Synthesis Enzymes and Binding Proteins in Mouse Skin

3 citations , August 2021 in “Nutrition research”

This study suggests that estrogen regulates vitamin A metabolism in skin tissues in a sex-dependent manner, which may have implications for treating acne, hair loss, and skin immunity.

$Dietary Vitamin A Impacts Refractory Telogen$

research Dietary Vitamin A Impacts Refractory Telogen

6 citations , February 2021 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology”

This study suggests that vitamin A may inhibit hair follicle stem cells during refractory telogen in a dose-dependent manner, based on retinyl ester levels and vitamin A metabolism protein localization in mice.

research Mice Lacking the Epidermal Retinol Dehydrogenases SDR16C5 and SDR16C6 Display Accelerated Hair Growth and Enlarged Meibomian Glands

16 citations , September 2019 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study found that the retinol dehydrogenases SDR16C5 and SDR16C6 in mice play a crucial role in skin retinol dehydrogenase activity, affecting hair growth and gland functions without impacting survival.

research Keratin K15 as a Biomarker of Epidermal Stem Cells

85 citations , September 2013 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This review evaluates existing research on Keratin 15 to assess its validity as a marker for epidermal stem cells, reporting no new results.

research Retinoid Metabolism Is Altered in Human and Mouse Cicatricial Alopecia

22 citations , October 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that C57BL/6 mice with a diet containing specific levels of vitamin A showed alterations in retinoid metabolism and increased frequency of cicatricial alopecias, suggesting dietary factors may play a role in this condition.

research Endogenous Retinoids in the Pathogenesis of Alopecia Areata

54 citations , September 2012 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study suggests that vitamin A influences the immune response and hair cycle, affecting the progression of alopecia areata in mouse models.

research Cutaneous Retinoic Acid Levels Determine Hair Follicle Development And Downgrowth

31 citations , September 2012 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study found that proper levels of retinoic acid, controlled by the enzyme Cyp26b1, are essential for normal hair follicle development and morphogenesis in mice.

research Estrogen Leads to Reversible Hair Cycle Retardation Through Inducing Premature Catagen and Maintaining Telogen

42 citations , July 2012 in “PLOS ONE”

This study found that estrogen can cause reversible suppression of the hair cycle by inducing premature catagen and maintaining the telogen phase without damaging the hair follicle stem cell niche or the signature gene expressions of dermal papilla cells.

research New Activators and Inhibitors in the Hair Cycle Clock: Targeting Stem Cells’ State of Competence

68 citations , April 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

The study reports that Fgf18 and Tgf-β2 signaling pathways in hair follicle stem cells have opposing effects on the timing of hair cycle transitions, influencing the shift from telogen to anagen phases.

research Self-Organizing and Stochastic Behaviors During the Regeneration of Hair Stem Cells

176 citations , April 2011 in “Science”

This study found that in a population of hair follicles, regenerative cycling stages are regulated by both intrinsic and extrinsic signals, with WNT/BMP signaling mediating interactions among follicles for adaptability.

research Beta-Catenin Activity in the Dermal Papilla Regulates Morphogenesis and Regeneration of Hair

314 citations , April 2010 in “Developmental Cell”

This study found that in mice, inactivating beta-catenin in the dermal papilla reduces hair follicle progenitor proliferation and disrupts the hair cycle.

research Epidermal Patterning and Induction of Different Hair Types During Mouse Embryonic Development

81 citations , September 2009 in “Birth defects research”

This review discusses the mechanisms behind hair patterning during mouse embryonic development and reports no new experimental findings.

research The Hair Follicle as a Dynamic Mini-Organ

759 citations , February 2009 in “Current Biology”

This review summarizes fundamental concepts and recent advancements in hair follicle biology, including insights from mouse models into broader molecular and cellular processes relevant to regeneration and development.

research Retinol Esterification by DGAT1 Is Essential for Retinoid Homeostasis in Murine Skin

91 citations , November 2008 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry”

This study found that DGAT1 functions as a key enzyme in murine skin to regulate retinoic acid levels and prevent retinoid toxicity, impacting hair cycle and sensitivity to retinol.

research Lgr5 Marks Cycling, Yet Long-Lived, Hair Follicle Stem Cells

835 citations , October 2008 in “Nature Genetics”

Lgr5 is a marker for active, long-lasting stem cells in mouse hair follicles.

research Immunolocalization of Enzymes, Binding Proteins, and Receptors Sufficient for Retinoic Acid Synthesis and Signaling During the Hair Cycle

48 citations , March 2007 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study observed that retinoic acid biosynthesis and signaling in hair follicles have a spatial and temporal regulation linked to distinct stages of the hair cycle in mice.

research Scratching the Surface of Skin Development

788 citations , February 2007 in “Nature”

This review explores how adult skin epithelia preserve stem cell populations for hair follicle regeneration and wound healing, but reports no new experimental results.

Towards Dissecting the Pathogenesis of Retinoid-Induced Hair Loss: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces Premature Hair Follicle Regression by Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in the Dermal Papilla

research Towards Dissecting the Pathogenesis of Retinoid-Induced Hair Loss: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces Premature Hair Follicle Regression by Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in the Dermal Papilla

92 citations , June 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that the retinoid all-trans retinoic acid induced a catagen-like stage in human scalp hair follicles, suggesting upregulation of TGF-beta2 as a contributing mechanism.

research Keratin 15 Promoter Targets Putative Epithelial Stem Cells in the Hair Follicle Bulge

387 citations , November 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

The K15 promoter effectively targets stem cells in the hair follicle bulge.

research Enrichment for Living Murine Keratinocytes from the Hair Follicle Bulge with the Cell Surface Marker CD34

561 citations , April 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

CD34 is a marker for isolating stem-like cells in mouse hair follicles.

research Novel Cycle Changes in Scalp Hair Are Caused by Etretinate Therapy

24 citations , March 1995 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study reported that etretinate treatment leads to increased hair shedding due to a sustained decrease in anagen duration, with an arrest at the onset of anagen and a follicular anchorage defect in telogen contributing to alopecia.

research Effect of Retinoids on Follicular Cells

15 citations , July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

In a C3H mouse model, this study found that topical retinoids can significantly alter hair-cycle dynamics by prolonging the anagen phase and shortening the telogen phase, a reaction connected to increased cellular retinoic acid-binding protein levels.