Author Response: Hair Follicle Dermal Condensation Forms via FGF20 Primed Cell Cycle Exit, Cell Motility, and Aggregation
July 2018
TLDR Fgf20 helps form hair follicle structures by stopping cell division and increasing cell movement.
The study explored the role of Fibroblast Growth Factor 20 (Fgf20) in the formation of hair follicle dermal condensates, which are essential for hair follicle development. Using mouse models, researchers discovered that dermal condensates formed through directed cell migration, not cell division. Fgf20 primed cells by inducing cell cycle exit, enhancing motility, and promoting shape changes, while RNA sequencing showed activation of specific genes related to this process. The study also highlighted the role of Sox2 expression in dermal condensation, with Sox2+ cells increasing in number and proximity to the hair placode. These findings provided insights into the cellular and molecular events orchestrated by Fgf20, offering potential implications for future hair growth therapies.
