Fgf21 Deficiency Delays Hair Follicle Cycling and Modulates miRNA–Target Gene Interactions in Mice

May 2025 in “ Biology ”

Yana Li, Yue Ao, Xinru Xie, Tug Ulan, Dongjun Liu, Xudong Guo

Fgf21 hair follicle cycling miRNA telogen phase anagen phase miR-134-5p miR-136-5p Vezf1 Map3k1 signaling pathways hair follicle development

TLDR Lack of Fgf21 slows hair growth by affecting gene interactions.

The study explores the role of Fgf21 in hair follicle cycling and miRNA-target gene interactions using Fgf21 knockout mice. Fgf21 deficiency was found to delay the transition from the telogen to anagen phase in hair follicles, affecting the expression of 93 miRNAs, including miR-134-5p and miR-136-5p, which target Vezf1 and Map3k1, respectively. These miRNAs are involved in key signaling pathways crucial for hair follicle development. The findings suggest that Fgf21 influences hair follicle growth by modulating miRNA expression and target gene interactions, providing insights into potential therapeutic strategies for hair-related disorders.

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