Immunofluorescence Analysis of the Basement Membrane Zone Components in Human Anagen Hair Follicles
July 2003
in “
Experimental Dermatology
”
TLDR The upper hair follicle is stable, while the lower part allows movement during hair growth.
The study used immunofluorescence to analyze the expression of basement membrane zone (BMZ) components in human anagen hair follicles, focusing on plectin, BP230, BP180, α6β4 integrin, laminin 5, and type VII collagen. It found that while the upper portion of the hair follicle showed similar BMZ component expression to the interfollicular epidermis, the lower portion exhibited a decrease in staining intensity, with BP230 completely absent at the dermal papilla junction. This absence, along with diminished expression of other BMZ components outside the hair bulb, was linked to the incomplete ultrastructure of hemidesmosomes in these regions. The study suggested that the complete hemidesmosome structure in the upper portion stabilizes it to connective tissues, whereas the incomplete structure in transient regions may facilitate follicle movement during hair growth cycles.
