TLDR Researchers used CRISPR/Cas9 to create a goat with a gene that increased cashmere production by 74.5% without affecting quality.
In 2019, researchers successfully created a Tβ4 knock-in cashmere goat by inserting the Tβ4 gene into the goat's CCR5 locus using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, without the need for screening or fluorescent markers. The genetically modified goat showed a 74.5% increase in cashmere yield while maintaining the fiber's fineness and quality. RNA-seq analysis suggested that Tβ4 may enhance hair growth by influencing vasoconstriction, angiogenesis, and vascular permeability around secondary hair follicles. This advancement has the potential to significantly improve cashmere goat breeding and increase economic efficiency.
18 citations
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November 2016 in “Transgenic research” Overexpressing Tβ4 in cashmere goats improves hair fiber traits and increases cashmere yield.
15 citations
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June 2015 in “PLoS ONE” Thymosin beta-4 promotes hair growth in mice.
98 citations
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December 2003 in “The FASEB Journal” Thymosin β4 promotes hair growth by activating stem cells in hair follicles.
October 2024 in “Frontiers in Veterinary Science” FKBP10 and FBN2 are key proteins for hair growth in cashmere goats.
16 citations
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December 2019 in “Animals” Overexpressing Tβ4 in goats' hair follicles increases cashmere production and hair follicle growth.
3 citations
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March 2020 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences” Thymosin β4 helps increase hair growth in Cashmere goats.
March 2024 in “Agriculture” CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing shows promise for improving sheep and goat breeding but faces challenges with efficiency and accuracy.
October 2025 in “Cell Transplantation” New hair loss treatments like stem cells and gene therapy show promise but need more research for safety and effectiveness.
