Analysis of the Expression Pattern of the Carrier Protein Transthyretin and Its Receptor Megalin in the Human Scalp Skin and Hair Follicles: Hair Cycle-Associated Changes
November 2010
in “
Histochemistry and cell biology
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TLDR The proteins transthyretin and megalin are more present in the growth phase of hair, suggesting they might affect hair health and growth.
The study from 2010 examined the expression of transthyretin (TTR) and its receptor megalin (MEG) in 50 human scalp skin biopsies, which included 50 hair follicles at various stages of the hair cycle (35 anagen, 10 catagen, and 5 telogen). Using immunofluorescence staining and real-time PCR, it was found that TTR and MEG expression levels were significantly higher during the anagen phase compared to the catagen and telogen phases (P < 0.001). The proteins were expressed at concentrations of 0.12 and 0.03 Ul/ml, respectively, as indicated by PCR. The study provided the first morphological evidence that TTR and MEG expression in the scalp skin and hair follicles varies with the hair cycle, suggesting their potential roles in hair follicle biology and the possibility of influencing hair growth and homeostasis through the supply of vitamin A and the uptake of vitamins and thyroxine.
