Expression of SPARC (Secreted Protein Acidic Rich in Cysteine) Throughout the Hair Cycle in Rats

    January 2004 in “ Adelaide Research & Scholarship (AR&S) (University of Adelaide) ”
    V. Ferres, G. S. Nattrass, Michael E. Mitchell, N. M. Penno, PI Hynd
    TLDR SPARC likely aids in tissue remodeling during the hair cycle, not in starting new hair growth phases.
    The study investigated the expression of SPARC, a matricellular protein, throughout the hair cycle in rats, using immunohistochemistry and qPCR techniques. SPARC was consistently found in various skin structures and showed specific expression patterns during different hair cycle phases: in the Outer Root Sheath (ORS) and Connective Tissue Sheath (CTS) during anagen, in the regressing follicle bulb and ORS during catagen, and mainly in the ORS during telogen. SPARC mRNA expression was elevated during the catagen/telogen transition. The study concluded that SPARC is unlikely to initiate the anagen/catagen or telogen/anagen transitions but likely reflects tissue-remodelling processes, similar to its role in wound repair.
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