The effect of proteolytic enzymes on hair follicles of transgenic mice expressing the lac Z-protein in cells of the bulge region

The study investigated the impact of proteolytic enzymes on hair follicles in transgenic mice expressing the lac-Z gene in bulge region cells, which are considered follicle stem cells. Chymotrypsin and papain were applied via iontophoresis, and trypsin was delivered in liposome form. The treatments caused significant degenerative effects, including detachment of the inner root sheath, cystic dilation of the hair shaft, and the presence of epithelial cells within the lumen. These effects suggested that hair follicle stem cells expressing beta-galactosidase were impaired and detached from the bulge area due to enzyme treatment.