Faculty Opinions Recommendation of Keratin 79 Identifies a Novel Population of Migratory Epithelial Cells That Initiates Hair Canal Morphogenesis and Regeneration

In this study, researchers identified a novel population of K79-positive migratory keratinocytes that played a crucial role in hair canal morphogenesis and regeneration. These cells were observed to migrate from the hair germ into the epidermis before lumen formation in embryos and from the reactivated secondary hair germ before new hair canal formation, contributing to the infundibulum. The study utilized transgenic mice to demonstrate that K79-positive cells originated from LRIG1-positive transitional zone stem cells. Notably, K79 expression was absent in closed comedos of acne patients, suggesting a unique mechanism by which hair follicles generate hair canals through extensive cell movements during the hair cycle.