Murine Sebaceous Gland Homeostasis Requires Intact Cutaneous Innervation in a Hair Cycle-Dependent Context

The study investigated the relationship between cutaneous nerves and sebaceous gland (SG) function in mice. It was found that while cutaneous nerves are not essential for the basic maintenance of SGs during the resting phase of the hair cycle (telogen), they are necessary for the upregulation of SG size during the active growth phase (anagen) and when hair growth is stimulated by waxing depilation. The research revealed that SGs undergo changes in size, sebocyte area, and sebocyte number in coordination with the hair cycle, and that these changes are nerve-dependent. Additionally, the study showed that the recruitment of Lrig1+ stem cells to the SG during hair growth is reduced in the absence of intact innervation. These findings suggest a functional link between SGs and hair follicles, and imply that neuromodulators might be used to treat SG-related skin conditions by altering sebum production.