Stem Cells in the Hair Follicle and Interfollicular Epidermis of Mice Following Topical Application of Fluocinolone Acetonide
November 2007
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
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Studysummary This study found that bulge keratinocytes in mice develop resistance to glucocorticoid treatment more slowly than interfollicular keratinocytes and do not significantly aid in repairing glucocorticoid-induced skin atrophy within five days. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
In the 2007 study by Chebotaev et al., the effects of the glucocorticoid fluocinolone acetonide (FA) on stem cells in the hair follicle bulge and interfollicular epidermis of mice were examined. The results showed that keratinocytes in both areas express the glucocorticoid receptor, with those in the bulge having 30 to 40% higher expression. After FA treatment, bulge keratinocytes were slower to develop glucocorticoid resistance compared to interfollicular keratinocytes and did not significantly contribute to epidermal repair following skin atrophy within the 5-day study period. Interfollicular keratinocytes, on the other hand, downregulated the receptor and proliferated in response to FA. The commentary by R.J. Morris highlighted the need for longer studies to fully understand the response of hair follicle bulge keratinocytes.
