Immunostaining study of cytokeratins in human hair follicle development

Abstract Background: The hair follicle is a unique structure, one of the most dynamic structures in mammalians, which can reproduce in every new cycle all the mechanism involved in its fetal development. Although a lot of research has been made about the human hair follicle much less has been discovered about the importance of the cytokeratins (CKs) in its development. Objective: Study the immunohistochemical pattern of epithelial CKs during human hair follicle development. Methods: We performed an immunohistochemical study using fresh post-mortem skin biopsies of human fetuses between 4 and 25 weeks of gestational age to study the expression of cytokeratins (CKs): CK1, CK10, CK13, CK14, CK16 and CK20 during human hair follicle fetal development. Study limitations: Restrospective study with a good number of makers but with a small population. Results/conclusion: We found that, the CKs were expressed in an intermediate time during follicular development. The epithelial CKs (CK1, CK14, CK10, CK13) and the epithelial CKs with a proliferative character such as CK16 were expressed first, as markers of cellular maturation and follicular keratinization. At a later phase, CK20 was expressed in more developed primitive hair follicles as previously discussed in literature.

Hair straighteners: an approach based on science and consumer profile

Technological progress has allowed women to change their natural hair configuration according to their will. This type of treatment is very popular around the world, even involving the use of prohibited chemicals, such as formaldehyde. Studies of hair characterization, straighteners and toxic evaluation are available in the literature, although few studies have evaluated the consumer profile or the current legislation of Brazil and the European Union (EU) and its influence on the consumption of hair straighteners. Previous studies from our research group have shown that hair care is essential for the quality of life and well-being of women. Within this context, the present study aimed to evaluate the profile of Brazilian hair straightener consumers, as well as the legislation of Brazil and the EU and its influence on the use of these products. The consumer profile was evaluated by applying questionnaires and the legislation was examined using documental and bibliographic exploratory research. The results provided a full understanding of the current legislation of Brazil and its similarities to EU legislation. It was observed that over 50% of Brazilians currently use or have previously used hair straightener products, even persons who do not have curly hair, suggesting that straight hair is more attractive for today's society. Although the study participants consider the current legislation to be important, over 40% do not know the active ingredients present in the hair straightener they use. Finally, the legislation is not considered in terms of the daily hair treatment routine, with the esthetic result being more important to the consumer

Mutation detection of type II hair cortex keratin gene KRT86 in a Chinese Han family with congenital monilethrix / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Monilethrix is an autosomal dominant hair disorder characterized clinically by alopecia and follicular papules. In this study, we collected a Han monilethrix family to detect the mutations in patients and investigated the correlation between the genotype and phenotype of monilethrix.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>In this study, we identified a Chinese family with monilethrix through light microscopic and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) examination. Genomic DNA from peripheral blood samples was prepared. DNA samples from controls and monilethrix patients were subject to polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification. Two pairs of primers were used to amplify the seventh exon of KRT86. Mutation screening of the PCR products was detected using direct sequencing.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Light microscopic examination showed a regular alternate enlargement and narrow area. SEM examination showed that part of the cuticle of the nodules shed and disappeared gradually in the narrow area with granular protrusions on the surface similar to the erosion-like structure. Parallel longitudinal ridge and groovepattern appeared, and the ridges varied in width, like dead wood. A heterozygous transversion mutation c.1204G > A (p.E402K) in the seventh exon of KRT86 was identified in both patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The mutation of extron 7 of KRT86 identified plays a major role in the pathogenesis of this pedigree with monilethrix, and is a mutation hot spot of KRT86. Further research is needed to explore the relationship between the phenotype and the mutation of the type II hair keratin gene KRT86 of monilethrix.</p>

Experimental study of repairing fat defect with human hair keratin material / 中华整形外科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the feasibility of adipogenesis from human hair keratin (HHK) material, so as to provide a new method for fat defect and depression deformity.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>3 Tibet mini-pigs were used. 8 fat defects (1.5 cm in diameter) were made bilaterally on the back. The ball-shaped HHK material was implanted to repair the defects at one side. The defects at contralateral side were as controls. The absorption of the HHK material and adipogenesis were studied histologically.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>2 weeks after implantation, connective tissue and capillary grew into the porous HHK material. 4 weeks after implantation, HHK material was almost totally absorbed, leaving some material debris and foreign body granuloma. Around them, there were clusters of adipocyte. 6 weeks after implantation, the HHK material was totally degraded and the granuloma was disappeared, and then de novo adipose tissue was observed. Its volume was close to the volume of peripheral HHK material that was planted originally. 10 weeks later, the new-formed fat tissue had less fibres and was very similar to the normal fat.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>New adipose tissue can be formed after HKK material implantation. It can also be remodeled to be similar to normal fat.</p>

Expression of cytokeratine 8 in laryngeal lesions

Cytokeratins are structural proteins, which form intermediate filaments within the cytoplasm of simple epithelial cells. Cytokeratin 8 is a tumor-associated antigen, which is shown to be over-expressed in a variety of premalignant and malignant lesions in different head and neck areas. Ours study presented differential expression of cytokeratin 8 in squamous epithelia of the vocal cords, including normal mucosa, non neoplastic lesions and carcinomas. Also we studied whether cytokeratin 8 is a reliable marker for dysplasia and malignancy of vocal cords. Our study comprised 50 subjects; they were classified into two groups. A control group comprised 25 samples of normal mucosa were obtained from patients suffering from chronic laryngitis [n=13], laryngeal carcinomas [n=12]. The second group comprised 25 samples of different laryngeal lesions, 7 samples of laryngeal leucoplakia, 3 samples of laryngeal polyps, 4 samples of vocal nodules, 4 samples chronic hyperplastic laryngitis and 7 samples of laryngeal cancer. All specimens had been confirmed by routine clinical diagnosis and histopathologic examination. Cytokeratin 8 expression was assessed upon immunohistochemistry with specific antibodies in sections of different laryngeal lesions. Cytokeratin 8 expression was evident in early stages of disease, i.e. dysplastic or neoplastic, but not in normal or hyperplastic epithelium. Cytokeratin 8 is a reliable marker for dysplasia and malignancy of the vocal cord, which allows for early detection, thus improving prognosis and selection of appropriate treatment modality

Preparation and bioactivity of human hair keratin-collagen sponge, a new type of dermal analogue / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a three-dimensional porous film of human hair keratin (HHK)-collagen sponge complex for use as a dermal substitute.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The three components F, B, and Z derived from healthy human hair were weaved into a meshwork and integrated with purified soluble type I collagen extracted from bovine tendons to prepare a highly porous film with vacuum freeze-drying followed by secondary cross-linking with glutaraldehyde. The film was grafted beneath the dorsal skin in 21 SD rats (experimental group), with simple collagen sponge serving as the negative control. The rats receiving surgical operation but without graft served as the blank control. The graft and its surrounding tissue were harvested on days 3, 7 and at weeks 2, 4, 6, 8, 12 after implantation for evaluation of tissue compatibility, vascularization and degradation.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The prepared collagen sponge film was semitransparent and porous. Three to 7 days after grafting, inflammatory reaction was relieved gradually, and several fibroblasts and blood vessels were found adherent to the grafts in the experimental groups. At week 4, the wounds healed in the experimental groups, and the fibroblasts were actively secreting collagen and the film degraded obviously with the appearance of elastic fibers. At weeks 6 and 8, new collagen fibers thickened and assumed regular arrangement, and the collagen sponge films disappeared completely. In the control groups, the changes were less obvious and total HHK degradation occurred till week 12.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The degradable and absorbable HHK-collagen sponge film has relatively satisfactory tissue compatibility and can accelerate wound healing by stimulating cell proliferation and vascularization, showing the potential as an optimal dermal substitute.</p>