FGF20 Secreted From Dermal Papilla Cells Regulates the Proliferation and Differentiation of Hair Follicle Stem Cells in Fine-Wool Sheep

This study on fine-wool sheep, involving 460 subjects, explores the role of FGF20, a fibroblast growth factor secreted by dermal papilla cells (DPCs), in the proliferation and differentiation of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). By co-culturing DPCs and HFSCs and using siRNA to knock down FGF20, researchers observed inhibited HFSC proliferation, reduced cell viability, and increased apoptosis. The knockdown also suppressed genes related to FGF20 receptors and differentiation, such as FGFR2, FGFR3, SOX9, NOTCH1, and β-Catenin, indicating that FGF20 influences hair follicle morphogenesis through the Notch and Wnt/β-Catenin pathways. These findings highlight FGF20's crucial role in hair follicle development and suggest potential methodologies for breeding superior fine-wool sheep.