ILK Modulates Epithelial Polarity and Matrix Formation in Hair Follicles

December 2013 in “ Molecular biology of the cell ”

Alena Rudkouskaya, Ian Welch, Lina Dagnino

integrin-linked kinase ILK hair follicle morphogenesis epithelial polarity matrix formation laminin-511 basement membrane hair matrix precortex inner sheath root cell lineages epidermal integrin β1 Wnt signaling dermal papilla

Studysummary This study found that ILK deficiency disrupts hair follicle development by impairing cell polarity and laminin-511 assembly, but these defects can be partially reversed with exogenous laminin-511.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study demonstrated that integrin-linked kinase (ILK) played a crucial role in hair follicle morphogenesis by regulating epithelial polarity and matrix formation. In the absence of ILK, hair follicle matrix lineage development was disrupted due to defects in apical-basal cell polarity and laminin-511 and basement membrane assembly. This led to impaired hair matrix specification and absence of precortex and inner sheath root cell lineages. The molecular pathways affected in ILK-deficient follicles were similar to those lacking epidermal integrin β1, involving Wnt signaling but not sonic hedgehog signaling. Additionally, ILK-deficient hair buds exhibited abnormalities in the dermal papilla. Exogenous laminin-511 restored hair matrix formation markers, indicating ILK's upstream role in laminin-511 assembly and hair follicle development beyond the germ stage.

View this study on molbiolcell.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

13 / 13 results

research Hairy Tale of Signaling in Hair Follicle Development and Cycling

161 citations , August 2012 in “Seminars in cell & developmental biology”

This review discusses the molecular mechanisms involved in hair follicle development and regeneration, highlighting findings from mouse genetic studies, and reports no new experimental results.

research Shh Maintains Dermal Papilla Identity and Hair Morphogenesis via a Noggin–Shh Regulatory Loop

138 citations , June 2012 in “Genes & Development”

This study found that dermal Shh signaling regulates specific dermal papilla signatures essential for maintaining hair follicle development, suggesting that the Shh-Noggin signaling loop is crucial for hair morphogenesis.

research Multiple Roles of Integrin-Linked Kinase in Epidermal Development, Maturation, and Pigmentation Revealed by Molecular Profiling

9 citations , May 2012 in “PLOS ONE”

This study found that integrin-linked kinase is crucial for various epidermal functions, including differentiation and barrier formation, and also plays a previously unreported role in melanocyte development and function.

research Emerging Role of ILK and ELMO2 in the Integration of Adhesion and Migration Pathways

10 citations , May 2012 in “Cell Adhesion & Migration”

This study found that ILK/ELMO2 complexes in epidermal keratinocytes are selectively activated by epidermal growth factor to induce cell migration, unlike with other growth factors.

research Targeted Inactivation of Integrin-Linked Kinase in Hair Follicle Stem Cells Reveals an Important Modulatory Role in Skin Repair After Injury

22 citations , May 2011 in “Molecular Biology of the Cell”

In this study, gene inactivation in mouse hair follicle stem cells lacking ILK impaired wound healing by reducing their progeny’s contribution to the regenerating epidermis, but did not affect hair follicle regeneration.

research Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Cells

321 citations , December 2009 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This review discusses the role of dermal cells in hair follicle regeneration and morphogenesis and highlights their potential therapeutic implications, but it reports no new empirical findings.

research Epidermal Patterning and Induction of Different Hair Types During Mouse Embryonic Development

81 citations , September 2009 in “Birth defects research”

This review discusses the mechanisms behind hair patterning during mouse embryonic development and reports no new experimental findings.

research Genetic Interplays Between Msx2 And Foxn1 Are Required For Notch1 Expression And Hair Shaft Differentiation

67 citations , December 2008 in “Developmental Biology”

This study found that the transcription factors Msx2 and Foxn1 are crucial for maintaining Notch1 expression in the hair follicle matrix, which is necessary for proper hair differentiation.

research Dlx3 Is a Crucial Regulator of Hair Follicle Differentiation and Cycling

132 citations , August 2008 in “Development”

This research found that Dlx3 plays a central role in hair formation and regeneration, with its absence leading to alopecia through disrupted differentiation and signaling pathways.

research Laminin-511 Is an Epithelial Message Promoting Dermal Papilla Development and Function During Early Hair Morphogenesis

102 citations , August 2008 in “Genes & Development”

This study found that laminin-511 is crucial for hair morphogenesis in mice, as it influences primary cilia formation and dermal papilla maintenance through noggin and sonic hedgehog signaling.

research Scratching the Surface of Skin Development

788 citations , February 2007 in “Nature”

This review explores how adult skin epithelia preserve stem cell populations for hair follicle regeneration and wound healing, but reports no new experimental results.

research Molecular Dissection of Mesenchymal–Epithelial Interactions in the Hair Follicle

417 citations , September 2005 in “PLoS biology”

This study developed molecular signatures for dermal papilla cells and their niche, uncovering novel signaling regulators and genes linked to hair disorders, which may inform future hair development research.

research Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Hair Follicle Development

854 citations , February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle formation and discusses potential future clinical applications for treating hair loss and skin tumors, but it reports no new clinical results.