Matriptase Expression and Zymogen Activation in Human Pilosebaceous Unit
TLDR Matriptase is highly active in hair follicles and sebaceous glands, especially during hair growth phases.
The study investigated matriptase expression and zymogen activation in human hair follicles and sebaceous glands. It found that matriptase was highly expressed in the outer root sheath and matrix cells of the hair bulb, particularly during the anagen and catagen phases, but not in the telogen phase. The matriptase inhibitor HAI-1 was reduced in the catagen phase, indicating increased proteolytic activity. Matriptase activation was highest in matrix cells and outer root sheath cells in the isthmus/bulge region. In sebaceous glands, matriptase was highly expressed in basal and ductal cells. Additionally, matriptase activated hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in vitro, with the HGF receptor c-Met co-expressed in cells with activated matriptase, suggesting the matriptase-HGF-c-MET pathway's role in proliferative cells of the pilosebaceous unit.
