The Functional Organization of Cutaneous Low-Threshold Mechanosensory Neurons

December 2011 in “ Cell ”

Lishi Li, Michael Rutlin, Victoria E. Abraira, Colleen Cassidy, Laura Kus, Shiaoching Gong, Michael P. Jankowski, Wenqin Luo, Nathaniel Heintz, H. Richard Koerber, C. Jeffery Woodbury, David D. Ginty

cutaneous mechanosensory neurons low-threshold mechanoreceptors LTMRs Aβ-LTMRs Aδ-LTMRs C-LTMRs hair follicle guard hairs awl/auchene hairs zigzag hairs axonal endings dorsal horn spinal cord skin mechanosensory neurons

TLDR Different hair follicles in the skin are innervated by unique combinations of mechanosensory neurons, crucial for touch sensation.

The study investigated the organization of low-threshold mechanoreceptors (LTMRs) in mouse hairy skin, revealing that each hair follicle type (guard, awl/auchene, and zigzag) is innervated by a unique combination of LTMRs, making each follicle a distinct mechanosensory end organ. Genetic labeling showed that LTMRs form narrow columns in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord, suggesting integrated processing of touch sensations. Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) was identified as a marker for C-LTMRs, which are associated with zigzag and awl/auchene hair follicles. This mapping enhances the understanding of touch perception and processing at the neuronal level.

View this study on cell.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

2 / 2 results

research Three-Dimensional Microanatomy of Longitudinal Lanceolate Endings in Rat Vibrissae

35 citations, January 2000 in “Journal of comparative neurology”

Rat vibrissae have sensory terminals with specific structures that help detect hair movements.

research Receptor Types in Cat Hairy Skin Supplied by Myelinated Fibers

307 citations, November 1968 in “Journal of neurophysiology”

Cats' hairy skin has different touch receptors connected by myelinated fibers.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 12 results

community How do you use rosemary oil and peppermint oil?

in Question 6 upvotes 4 years ago

Rosemary oil and peppermint oil may promote hair growth and increase cutaneous blood flow, showing promise as treatments for androgenetic alopecia. Minoxidil 2% is also used for treating hair loss.

community Scientific evidence for Peppermint & Rosemary oils + My Experience

in Research/Science 114 upvotes 1 year ago

Natural treatments for hair loss, specifically peppermint oil and rosemary oil; how they can be used as a supplementary or alternative treatment to pharmaceuticals such as finasteride and minoxidil; and the personal experience of the user Divallo, who has seen an increase in density and thickness after using these oils for around 2.5 years. The post also touches on the potential antifungal properties of the oils and their effects on cutaneous blood flow.

community high bloodpressure and crown thinning in early 20s

in Is this regrowth? 9 upvotes 5 months ago

A user with kidney disease and high blood pressure experienced hair thinning, especially around the vertex. They are currently using finasteride and oral minoxidil but are considering whether to resume blood pressure medication despite managing symptoms with diet and exercise.

community HMI-115 update: Chime Biologics and Hope Medicine Enter Manufacturing Agreement to Speed up the Launch of First-in-class Antibody Drug HMI-115 Targeting Endometriosis and Androgenic Alopecia

in Research/Science 108 upvotes 1 year ago

Chime Biologics and Hope Medicine are speeding up the launch of a first-in-class antibody drug, HMI-115, for endometriosis and androgenic alopecia. The treatment involves a series of subcutaneous injections, has shown promising results in phase 1, and continues to promote hair regrowth even after the treatment is stopped.

community Androgenetic alopecia is a skin disease: DHT-mediated skin disorders

in Research/Science 65 upvotes 1 year ago

Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) impacts various skin conditions, including Androgenetic alopecia and seborrheic dermatitis, by causing overactivity in sebaceous glands. Topical medications Tacrolimus and Clobetasol can reduce these inflammatory conditions, and treatments like RU58841, Minoxidil, and Finasteride may also be beneficial.

community Why is everyone not directly advised Dutasteride?

in Finasteride/Dutasteride 165 upvotes 1 month ago

Dutasteride is less commonly prescribed for hair loss because it is not FDA-approved for this purpose, unlike finasteride, which is more accessible and preferred due to fewer side effects. Dutasteride may be more effective in reducing DHT but has a longer half-life and potentially more significant side effects.

Related Research

2 / 2 results

research Feature Characterization of Scarring and Non-Scarring Types of Alopecia by Multiphoton Microscopy

24 citations, September 2018 in “Lasers in Surgery and Medicine”

Multiphoton microscopy can non-invasively tell apart scarring from non-scarring hair loss and could aid in treatment.

research Intermediate Hair Follicles: A New, More Clinically Relevant Model for Hair Growth Investigations

30 citations, May 2010 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Intermediate hair follicles are a better model for studying hair growth and testing hair loss treatments.