Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Candidate Ligand-Receptor Pairs and Signaling Networks Mediating Intercellular Communication between Hair Matrix Cells and Dermal Papilla Cells from Cashmere Goats

The study investigated the molecular mechanisms of hair growth by analyzing the intercellular communication between hair matrix cells (HMCs) and dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in cashmere goats. The researchers found that direct cellular interaction significantly alters cell cycle distribution patterns and changes the gene expression profiles of both HMCs and DPCs. They identified several ligand-receptor pairs, such as LEP-LEPR and IL1A-IL1R1, that mediate intercellular crosstalk and have known or potential roles in hair growth. The study also found that coculture induces significant alterations in the gene expression profile of DPCs compared to HMCs, with 1966 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in cocultured DPCs compared to monocultured DPCs, and 1034 DEGs between cocultured and monocultured HMCs. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the molecular mechanisms related to hair growth.