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

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.