Identifying the Key Niche Signals for Hair Follicle Formation
April 2018
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
TLDR Key signals for hair follicle formation were identified.
The study focused on understanding the signals involved in hair follicle formation by examining the role of dermal condensates (DC) and their interaction with epidermal placodes (Pc). Researchers identified precursor cells of the DC and analyzed gene expression patterns using fluorescence-activated cell sorting and next-generation RNA sequencing. This allowed them to create a molecular timeline of gene signatures during the early stages of hair follicle development. The study uncovered several potential key signals involved in hair induction, which were further tested through genetic manipulation in embryonic skin cultures to explore their role in hair follicle formation.