Keratins 1 and 10 as Regular Constituents of Inner Root Sheath and Cuticle Cells in the Human Hair Follicle

The study provided evidence that keratins 1 and 10, or their homologues, were regular constituents of the inner root sheath (IRS) and cuticle cells in the human hair follicle. Through protein analysis and immunofluorescence, the researchers identified K1 and K10 derivatives in these compartments, which were also found in the nail plate. The study used two-dimensional polyacrylamide gels and Western blots to detect these keratins, and immunodetection was enhanced by trypsin pretreatment. The findings suggested that differentiation in the IRS and cuticle might follow common keratinization principles, with specific staining for K1 and K10 observed from the lower bulbus region to the keratinizing zone of the follicle.