Transcriptional Profiling in Rat Hair Follicles following Simulated Blast Insult: A New Diagnostic Tool for Traumatic Brain Injury

The study explored the potential of using mammalian hair follicles as a diagnostic tool for traumatic brain injury (TBI) by simulating blast conditions on rat models. An Advanced Blast Simulator was used to create shock waves, and microarray analysis of hair follicles identified gene expression changes linked to these conditions. The analysis revealed that genes involved in CNS/PNS responses and various signaling pathways, such as Ca2+, K+-transportation, Toll-Like Receptor, and MAPK signaling, were affected. These pathways were previously associated with TBI in other tissues like the brain and blood. The findings suggested that hair follicles share TBI-responsive molecular signatures with other tissues, indicating their potential for non-invasive and rapid TBI diagnosis.