Single-Cell Transcriptome Sequence Profiling on the Morphogenesis of Secondary Hair Follicles in Ordos Fine-Wool Sheep

This study on Ordos fine-wool sheep used single-cell RNA sequencing to investigate the morphogenesis of secondary hair follicles, identifying 18 cell clusters and detailing the transcriptomic profiles of key cell types like dermal cells, fibroblasts, and epidermal cells. It highlighted the roles of signaling pathways such as Wnt, Hedgehog, Notch, and BMP in hair follicle development, and mapped differentiation trajectories for dermal and epidermal lineage cells. The research found that primary hair follicles mature earlier (E93) compared to secondary hair follicles (E110). The study provides insights into the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle development, which could aid in the molecular breeding of super-fine-wool sheep.