Integrative Analysis Reveals ncRNA-Mediated Molecular Regulatory Network Driving Secondary Hair Follicle Regression in Cashmere Goats

The study conducted an integrative analysis of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) to understand their roles in secondary hair follicle regression in cashmere goats. Researchers examined skin samples from three goats during different hair follicle stages, identifying 1122 known and 403 novel long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), with 173 showing differential expression, and 411 known and 307 novel microRNAs (miRNAs), with 72 differentially expressed. The study highlighted the synergistic role of lncRNAs and miRNAs in hair follicle growth transitions, particularly noting the regulation of catagen inducers TGFβ1 and BDNF by miR-873 and lnc108635596. The findings provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle cycles, emphasizing the importance of ncRNAs in biological processes such as apoptosis and growth, and suggested potential molecular breeding strategies to improve cashmere production by preventing or delaying hair loss.