Modeling of Ionizing Radiation Induced Hair Follicle Regenerative Dynamics

September 2022 in “ Journal of Theoretical Biology ”

Cecilia Duran, Manuel Barcenas, William R. Holmes

ionizing radiation hair follicle regeneration ordinary differential equation model catagen phase quiescent outer root sheath active outer root sheath matrix cells apoptosis cells anagen phase IR HF ODE ORS Mx

Studysummary This study developed a mathematical model to explore hair follicle regeneration mechanisms, showing that low spontaneous apoptosis rates help regenerate hair follicles after ionizing radiation, while high rates lead to degeneration during the catagen phase.

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This study developed a new ordinary differential equation (ODE) model to investigate the mechanisms behind hair follicle (HF) regeneration induced by ionizing radiation (IR) and compared it to the irreversible degeneration during the catagen phase. The model, calibrated using experimental data from mice, includes four cell states: quiescent outer root sheath (ORS), active ORS, matrix (Mx), and apoptosis cells. The findings suggest that the homeostatic state of anagen HFs is stable and does not depend on apoptosis feedback strength, explaining why HFs can regenerate after IR-induced damage but not during catagen. The research provides insights into the control mechanisms of HF regenerative dynamics.

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