Quiescent and Aging Hair Follicle Stem Cells
February 2016
in “
Science
”
Studysummary This research found that Foxc1 promotes quiescence in hair follicle stem cells and identified COL17A1 depletion, due to DNA damage, as a cause of hair thinning and loss during aging.
Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer
Two studies explored the characteristics of hair follicle stem cells, which are crucial for hair growth and maintenance. Wang et al. discovered that the Foxc1 transcription factor is activated in hair follicle stem cells, promoting Nfatc1 and BMP signaling to maintain their quiescent state. Matsumura et al. focused on aging hair follicle stem cells and identified type XVII collagen (COL17A1) as essential for preventing hair thinning. They found that DNA damage led to the depletion of COL17A1, causing cell differentiation and the loss of epidermal keratinocytes, which resulted in hair follicle shrinkage and hair loss.
