Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals Lineage Trajectory of Human Scalp Hair Follicle and Informs Mechanisms of Hair Graying

May 2022 in “ Cell discovery ”

Sijie Wu, Yao Yu, Caiyue Liu, Xia Zhang, Peiying Zhu, You Peng, Xinyu Yan, Yin Li, Hua Peng, Qingfeng Li, Sijia Wang, Liang Zhang

single-cell RNA sequencing scRNA-seq human scalp hair follicles hsHFs hair graying melanocytes matrix hair progenitors hair follicle stem cells HFSCs P53 pathway

Studysummary This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to create a detailed atlas of human scalp hair follicles and found that early-stage hair graying involves matrix hair progenitor depletion linked to P53 pathway activation.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

View this study on nature.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

24 / 24 results

research Hyperactivation of Sympathetic Nerves Drives Depletion of Melanocyte Stem Cells

260 citations , January 2020 in “Nature”

Stress can cause hair to turn gray by depleting stem cells.

Regulation of Melanocyte Stem Cells in the Pigmentation of Skin and Its Appendages: Biological Patterning and Therapeutic Potentials

research Regulation of Melanocyte Stem Cells in the Pigmentation of Skin and Its Appendages: Biological Patterning and Therapeutic Potentials

41 citations , December 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This review explores recent findings on the roles of melanocyte and melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicle, highlighting their importance for skin health and potential applications in regenerative medicine, but reports no new clinical results.

research Skin Cell Heterogeneity in Development, Wound Healing, and Cancer

211 citations , May 2018 in “Trends in cell biology”

This review explores recent insights into the diverse cell populations involved in skin development, homeostasis, wound healing, and cancer progression but reports no new results.

research Epithelial-Mesenchymal Micro-Niches Govern Stem Cell Lineage Choices

214 citations , April 2017 in “Cell”

This study found that micro-niches within hair follicles create heterogeneity among stem cells and transit-amplifying cells, leading to specialized progenitors that control tissue morphogenesis and regeneration.

research Hair Follicle Aging Is Driven by Transepidermal Elimination of Stem Cells via COL17A1 Proteolysis

242 citations , February 2016 in “Science”

This research found that Foxc1 transcription factor and COL17A1 are critical in regulating quiescence and hair thinning in hair follicle stem cells, with aging-related DNA damage leading to hair loss.

research Epithelial Skin Biology: Stem Cells and Epidermal Homeostasis

118 citations , January 2016 in “Current Topics in Developmental Biology”

This essay discusses the establishment, maintenance, and role of skin stem cells in tissue homeostasis, wound repair, and their relation to skin cancer, without reporting new experimental findings.

research A Guide to Studying Human Hair Follicle Cycling In Vivo

212 citations , September 2015 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This article presents a comprehensive guide for classifying human hair follicle cycle stages in vivo using scalp xenografts on immunocompromised mice, offering valuable resources for researchers in the field.

research Organ-Level Quorum Sensing Directs Regeneration in Hair Stem Cell Populations

236 citations , April 2015 in “Cell”

This study found that patterned hair plucking in mice triggers a collective regeneration response in nearby unplucked hair follicles via a quorum sensing mechanism involving immune signaling.

research Mapping the Expression of Epithelial Hair Follicle Stem Cell-Related Transcription Factors LHX2 and SOX9 in the Human Hair Follicle

33 citations , March 2015 in “Experimental Dermatology”

In this study, LHX2 and SOX9 were found to mark distinct epithelial progenitor cell populations within human hair follicles, suggesting roles in maintaining the hair follicle epithelium.

research Age-Related Hair Pigment Loss

20 citations , January 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology”

This paper reviews recent research on hair graying, suggesting that an imbalance in oxidative stress handling may affect melanocyte stem cells and melanin production with age, and calls for exploring strategies to prolong melanin production.

research Epithelial Stem Cells And Implications For Wound Repair

156 citations , October 2012 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology”

This study found that hair follicle stem cells initially contribute to wound re-epithelialization, but long-lasting epidermal cells are primarily derived from a stem cell population in the isthmus portion of hair follicles.

research Hair Follicle Stem Cells Provide a Functional Niche for Melanocyte Stem Cells

283 citations , February 2011 in “Cell stem cell”

COL17A1 is crucial for preventing hair graying and loss by supporting hair and pigment stem cells.

Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

research Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

235 citations , January 2011 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia may involve a defect in the conversion of hair follicle stem cells to progenitor cells, as demonstrated by a reduced presence of progenitor cells in bald scalp samples.

research A Neuroendocrinological Perspective on Human Hair Follicle Pigmentation

56 citations , November 2010 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research”

This article discusses the role of neurohormones and neuropeptides in hair follicle pigmentation and outlines promising neuroendocrinological strategies to address greying and damage, but reports no new clinical results.

research Genetic Interplays Between Msx2 And Foxn1 Are Required For Notch1 Expression And Hair Shaft Differentiation

67 citations , December 2008 in “Developmental Biology”

This study found that the transcription factors Msx2 and Foxn1 are crucial for maintaining Notch1 expression in the hair follicle matrix, which is necessary for proper hair differentiation.

research Scratching the Surface of Skin Development

788 citations , February 2007 in “Nature”

This review explores how adult skin epithelia preserve stem cell populations for hair follicle regeneration and wound healing, but reports no new experimental results.

research Towards A Free Radical Theory Of Graying: Melanocyte Apoptosis In The Aging Human Hair Follicle As An Indicator Of Oxidative Stress Induced Tissue Damage

210 citations , May 2006 in “The FASEB journal”

This study found that oxidative stress in hair follicle melanocytes contributes to premature aging and apoptosis, providing insights into graying as a model for studying aging and testing antiaging therapies.