A Novel Type II Cytokeratin, mK6irs, Is Expressed in the Huxley and Henle Layers of the Mouse Inner Root Sheath

The study identified a novel type II cytokeratin, mK6irs, specifically expressed in the Huxley and Henle layers of the mouse inner root sheath (IRS) during the anagen phase of hair growth. This 57 kDa protein showed homology with other cytokeratins and was confirmed through various analyses to be present only during specific phases of the hair cycle. The research suggested that mK6irs played a role in the differentiation and structure of the IRS, contributing to the understanding of hair follicle biology. Additionally, the study proposed that mK6irs could be important for understanding hereditary hair diseases, as mutations in keratins are linked to conditions like cicatricial alopecia and monilethrix.