LncRNA-599554 sponges miR-15a-5p to contribute inductive ability of dermal papilla cells through positive regulation of the expression of Wnt3a in cashmere goat

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), as post-transcriptional regulators, were thought to function in the inductive property of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in cashmere goat. Previously, lncRNA-599554 was identified in secondary hair follicle (SHF) of cashmere goat, but its functional significance is unknown. RESULTS: In the present investigation, we verified that lncRNA-599554 had significantly higher expression at the anagen dermal papilla of cashmere goat SHF than that at telogen. Based on overexpression and knockdown techniques, we found that lncRNA-599554 contributes the inductive property of DPCs of cashmere goat, which was assessed by detecting the changes in the expression of several typical indictor genes in DPCs including ET-1, SCF, Versican, ALP, Lef1 and Ptc-1. Based on RNA pull-down assay, we verified that lncRNA-599554 directly interacted with chi-miR-15a-5p. Also, we showed that lncRNA-599554 positively regulated the Wnt3a expression in DPCs but which did not appear to involve its modulating of promoter methylation. Based on the use of Dual-luciferase reporter assays, our data indicated that lncRNA-599554 regulated the Wnt3a expression through chi-miR-15a-5p-mediated post-transcriptional level. CONCLUSIONS: We showed that lncRNA-599554 contributes the inductive property of DPCs in cashmere goat which might be achieved through sponging chi-miR-15b-5p to promote the Wnt3a expression. The results from the present investigation provided a novel insight into the functional mechanism of lncRNA-599554 in the SHF regeneration of cashmere goat along with the formation and growth of cashmere fiber.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor overexpression in miniaturized follicles in female pattern hair loss

Abstract The etiopathogenesis of female pattern hair loss is still poorly understood. In addition to genetic and hormonal elements, environmental factors could be involved. The aryl hydrocarbon receptor is expressed in keratinocytes and can be activated by environmental pollutants leading to alterations in the cell cycle, inflammation, and apoptosis. Here we demonstrate the overexpression of nuclear aryl hydrocarbon receptors in miniaturized hair follicles in female pattern hair loss.

Effect of miR-125b on dermal papilla cells of goat secondary hair follicle

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous noncoding RNAs that regulate various biological processes. miR-125b is a miRNA that has been reported to be critical for hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis and development. We identified that the expression of miR-125b varies during an individual hair cycle (anagen, catagen, and telogen) in the skin of cashmere goats. We constructed a gain model (by overexpressing miR-125b) and a loss model (by inhibiting endogenous miR-125b) based on dermal papilla cells (DPCs) to further investigate the role of miR-125b in HF cycle. In addition, we used a dual-luciferase system to highlight the predicated target genes of miR-125b. Results: We found that miR-125b affects the expression of FGF5, IGF-1, SHH, TNF-α, MSX2, LEF-1, FGF7, NOGGIN, BMP2, BMP4, TGF-ß1, and ß-catenin. The dual-luciferase assay further validated a direct interaction between miR-125b and FGF5 and TNF-α. Conclusion: miR-125b affects the expression levels of genes related to hair cycle and may also play a critical role in regulating the periodic development of HF.

Arctiin blocks hydrogen peroxide-induced senescence and cell death though microRNA expression changes in human dermal papilla cells

BACKGROUND: Accumulating evidence indicates that reactive oxygen species (ROS) are an important etiological factor for the induction of dermal papilla cell senescence and hair loss, which is also known alopecia. Arctiin is an active lignin isolated from Arctium lappa and has anti-inflammation, anti-microbial, and anti-carcinogenic effects. In the present study, we found that arctiin exerts anti-oxidative effects on human hair dermal papilla cells (HHDPCs). RESULTS: To better understand the mechanism, we analyzed the level of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-induced cytotoxicity, cell death, ROS production and senescence after arctiin pretreatment of HHDPCs. The results showed that arctiin pretreatment significantly inhibited the H2O2-induced reduction in cell viability. Moreover, H2O2-induced sub-G1 phase accumulation and G2 cell cycle arrest were also downregulated by arctiin pretreatment. Interestingly, the increase in intracellular ROS mediated by H2O2 was drastically decreased in HHDPCs cultured in the presence of arctiin. This effect was confirmed by senescence associated-beta galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) assay results; we found that arctiin pretreatment impaired H2O2-induced senescence in HHDPCs. Using microRNA (miRNA) microarray and bioinformatic analysis, we showed that this anti-oxidative effect of arctiin in HHDPCs was related with mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and Wnt signaling pathways. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our data suggest that arctiin has a protective effect on ROS-induced cell dysfunction in HHDPCs and may therefore be useful for alopecia prevention and treatment strategies.