Comparative Analysis of mRNA and miRNA Expression Between Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Matrix Cells of Hair Follicles in Yak

The study analyzed the differences in mRNA and miRNA expression between Dermal Papilla Cells (DPCs) and Hair Matrix Cells (HMCs) in yak hair follicles. Researchers isolated and cultured these cells, then performed RNA sequencing. They found 4600 differentially expressed genes, with 2265 mRNAs upregulated and 2335 downregulated in DPCs compared to HMCs. Additionally, 123 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified. The study also found significant differences in the morphology of DPCs and HMCs. The results suggest that these specific mRNAs and miRNAs contribute to the interaction and cellular communication between DPCs and HMCs during hair follicle development. This research provides insights into the molecular basis of hair follicle development and may offer new insights into hair follicle function in yak adaptation to the alpine environment.