Faculty Opinions Recommendation of The Keratins of the Human Beard Hair Medulla: The Riddle in the Middle
TLDR Beard hair medulla cells have a unique and varied keratin pattern.
The study by Langbein et al. explored the expression pattern of keratins in the human beard hair follicle medulla, a previously under-researched area. They discovered that the medulla is the most complex structure in terms of keratin expression, with 24 different keratins present, including both epithelial and hair keratins. This research revealed that hair keratins can pair with epithelial keratins in vivo, challenging previous beliefs about keratin pairing. The study also identified a new compartment called the "pre-medulla" and noted the presence of cortical-origin cells within the medulla. These findings highlighted the potential of using keratin expression as a tool for hair follicle research and suggested the medulla as a model for studying hormonal regulation of keratin expression. The research provided significant insights into the structure and function of the hair medulla, contributing to future studies on hair follicle morphology and function.
