TLDR Damaged hair follicles make mice more prone to skin inflammation and skin cancer after UV exposure.
The study examined how hair follicle (HF) disruption affects the development of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and cutaneous inflammation in Ptch+/- mice, a model for human nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome. Hairless mice with rudimentary HFs due to a mutation in the hairless gene were found to be more susceptible to UVB-induced inflammation and BCC development than their haired counterparts. After 32 weeks of UVB exposure, all hairless mice developed over 12 tumors each, while haired mice developed fewer than three tumors each after 44 weeks. The hairless mice also developed tumors 10 weeks earlier and had more aggressive tumors, as indicated by decreased E-cadherin and increased mesenchymal proteins. Furthermore, hairless mice had a higher number of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) and BCCs, with an increased inflammatory response characterized by more inflammatory cells and cytokines. Treatment with sulfasalazine (SSZ), an NF-kB inhibitor, reduced tumor numbers and associated inflammation, suggesting that inflammation plays a significant role in tumorigenesis following HF disruption. The number of mice used in the study was not provided, which is crucial for evaluating the study's strength.
4 citations,
May 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” The symposium concluded that a specific lipid might cause hair loss, inflammation is a key factor, and stem cells in bald scalps aren't working right, suggesting new treatment targets.
150 citations,
October 2010 in “The American Journal of Pathology” The document concludes that more research is needed to better understand and treat primary cicatricial alopecias, and suggests a possible reclassification based on molecular pathways.
351 citations,
February 2010 in “Nature Cell Biology” Basal cell carcinoma mostly starts from cells in the upper skin layers, not hair follicle stem cells.
30 citations,
January 2009 in “Nuclear Receptor Signaling” Hairless protein is crucial for healthy skin and hair, and its malfunction can cause hair loss.
10 citations,
February 2008 in “Photochemistry and photobiology” Vitamin D receptor can control the hairless gene linked to hair loss even without vitamin D.
190 citations,
July 2006 in “Experimental Dermatology”
1 citations,
December 2020 in “International journal of molecular sciences” External factors can cause skin cancer cells that usually don't spread to grow and form tumors in mice.
1 citations,
January 2021 CD4+ skin cells may be precursors to basal cell carcinoma.
7 citations,
May 2020 in “Trends in molecular medicine” The document concludes that the immune-inhibitory environment of the hair follicle may prevent melanoma development.
31 citations,
August 2021 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy” The conclusion is that understanding how hair follicle stem cells live or die is important for maintaining healthy tissue and repairing injuries, and could help treat hair loss, but there are still challenges to overcome.
21 citations,
May 2022 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology” Hair growth and health are influenced by factors like age, environment, and nutrition, and are controlled by various molecular pathways. Red light can promote hair growth, and understanding these processes can help treat hair-related diseases.
