Immune Niches for Hair Follicle Development and Homeostasis

The review "Immune niches for hair follicle development and homeostasis" explores the critical roles of immune cells, such as macrophages and regulatory T cells (Tregs), in hair follicle development, maintenance, and cyclic phases. Macrophages influence hair follicle stem cells through Wnt signaling and are involved in different hair cycle phases, while Tregs, regulated by Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling, assist in tissue remodeling and maintaining homeostasis. The review also highlights the immune privilege of hair follicles, which is crucial for preventing autoimmune attacks and inflammation, and discusses therapeutic strategies like JAK inhibitors and immunosuppressants for treating alopecia. The findings emphasize the importance of immune-epithelial interactions in hair follicle biology and suggest that future research could provide deeper insights into these mechanisms for developing targeted therapies for hair loss disorders.