Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides In A Child: A Rare Case.

Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a variant of mycosis fungoides characterized by infiltration of hair follicle epithelium by neoplastic lymphoid cells. Generally, it is usually typified by indurated plaques and tumours mainly on the head and neck. However, a wide range of clinical signs have been noted. The clinical presentation of FMF may include prurigo-like lesions, acneiform lesions, cysts, nodules, areas of scarring alopecia, and hypopigmented plaques or papules with follicular prominences. The average age of diagnosis is 60 years while it is rare in childhood and adolescence. We discuss the case of a 12-year-old male patient who had an asymptomatic, erythematous, infiltrating plaque across his left nasolabial fold for three months prior to presentation. Histological assessment of lesion showed characteristic findings of follicular mucinosis with predominance of CD4+ lymphocytes and immunohistochemical studies were positive for CD3+ stains. An increased CD4:CD8 ratio and negative CD20 was also shown. Both findings were consistent with diagnosis of FMF.

The potential role of hsa_circ_0001079 in androgenetic alopecia via sponging hsa-miR-136-5p.

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is an androgen-dependent polygenic hereditary disease. METHODS: Diseased hair follicles from 5 AGA patients and normal hair follicles from 5 healthy individuals were selected as specimens to carry out whole transcriptome sequencing. Multiple high-expression circular RNAs (circRNAs) were screened from the diseased group. We further verified the presence of the circRNAs in the clinical specimens by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). RESULTS: In total, 100 circRNAs were significantly upregulated, and 184 circRNAs were significantly downregulated. The top 10 upregulated circRNAs were hsa_circ_0101041, hsa_circ_0001578, hsa_circ_0135062, hsa_circ_0002980, hsa_circ_0005062, hsa_circ_0072688, hsa_circ_0133954, hsa_circ_0001079, hsa_circ_0005974, hsa_circ_0000489. The top 10 downregulated circRNAs were hsa_circ_0001278, hsa_circ_0031482, hsa_circ_0008285, hsa_circ_0003784, hsa_circ_0077096, hsa_circ_0001148, hsa_circ_0006886, hsa_circ_0000638, hsa_circ_0084521, and hsa_circ_0101074. Among top 10 upregulated circRNAs, hsa_circ_0001079 showed significantly high expression via large-sample verification and clinical application potential. Based on a database comparison and base pairing analysis, we found that has-miR-136-5p bound to hsa_circ_0001079 and that hsa-miR-136-5p had potential binding sites with Wnt5A. CONCLUSION: In summary, through high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatic analysis, a potential diagnostic marker for alopecia and a key circRNA that might adsorb microRNA (miRNA) through a sponging mechanism, thus mediating alopecia, were discovered in this study.

Administration of Nrf-2-Modified Hair-Follicle MSCs Ameliorates DSS-Induced Ulcerative Colitis in Rats.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a common chronic nonspecific intestinal inflammation of unknown etiology associated with a low cure rate and a high relapse rate. Hair follicle mesenchymal stem cells (HF-MSCs) are a class of pluripotent stem cells that have differentiation potential and strong proliferation ability. Nuclear factor red system related factor (Nrf-2) is a key factor in the oxidative stress response. Dextran sulfate sodium- (DSS-) induced rat UC models closely mimic human UC in terms of symptoms and histological changes. Animals were divided into five groups, including a healthy group and UC model rats treated with normal saline, Nrf-2, HF-MSCs, or Nrf-2-expressing HF-MSC group. Based on the expression of intestinal stem cells, inflammatory factors, anti-inflammatory factors, and disease activity index scores, Nrf-2-expressing HF-MSCs had the most obvious therapeutic effect under the same treatment regimen. This study provided a new potential clinical treatment option for ulcerative colitis.

Time kinetics of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer formation by narrowband and broadband UVB irradiation.

BACKGROUND: Maximum cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer (CPD) formation in the skin induced by ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation is thought to occur within a few minutes and is immediately decreased by the DNA repair system. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the time course and differential effects of narrowband (NB-UVB) and broadband (BB-UVB) UVB on CPD formation. METHODS: We investigated CPD formation at various time-points in vivo, from 3 min to 72 h, after UVB irradiation using 2 mouse strains, C57BL/6 J and BALB/c. The backs of the mice were shaved and irradiated with NB-UVB or BB-UVB. Skin specimens were obtained and stained with anti-CPD antibody. Positive signals in the epidermis were measured using ImageJ. DNA was extracted from the isolated epidermis and subjected to quantitative CPD analysis by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: CPDs induced by UVB irradiation (1 minimum erythemal dose) in epidermal skin were detected in the nucleus. Although the CPD levels increased immediately after irradiation (3 min), the highest level was detected at 1 h and the increase lasted 24-48 h after irradiation. BB-UVB tended to induce greater CPD levels than NB-UVB in both mouse strains. The ELISA showed similar results. CONCLUSIONS: CPDs were induced immediately after UV irradiation, with the maximum level observed 1 h after irradiation. BB-UVB irradiation tended to induce greater levels of CPD formation. In addition to the direct effects of UVB, the presence of CPDs in hair follicles, which were not irradiated by UVB, suggests that reactive oxygen species are also involved in CPD formation in the skin.

Cutaneous Lymphadenoma Is a Distinct Trichoblastoma-like Lymphoepithelial Tumor With Diffuse Androgen Receptor Immunoreactivity, Notch1 Ligand in Reed-Sternberg-like Cells, and Common EGFR Somatic Mutations.

The term "cutaneous lymphadenoma" was coined in this journal for an unusual lymphoepithelial cutaneous adnexal neoplasm, possibly with immature pilosebaceous differentiation. Some authors further proposed that cutaneous lymphadenoma was an adamantinoid trichoblastoma. However, although a hair follicle differentiation is widely accepted, the fact that this is a lymphoepithelial tumor is not appropriately explained by the trichoblastoma hypothesis. Our goal was to further clarify the phenotypic and genotypic features of cutaneous lymphadenoma in a series of 11 cases. Histologically, a lobular architecture surrounded by a dense fibrous stroma was present in all cases. The lobules were composed of epithelial cells admixtured with small lymphocytes and isolated or clustered large Reed-Sternberg-like (RS-L) cells. The epithelial cells were diffusely positive for the hair follicle stem cell markers CK15, PHLDA1, and for androgen receptor. No immunostaining for markers of sebaceous differentiation was found. Intraepithelial lymphocytes were predominantly CD3+, CD4+, FoxP3+ T cells. RS-L cells showed both strong Jagged-1 and Notch1 cytoplasmic immunostaining. Androgen-regulated NKX3.1 nuclear immunostaining was present in a subset of large intralobular cells in all cases. Double immunostaining showed coexpression of NKX3.1 and CD30 in a subset of RS-L cells. No immunostaining for lymphocytic or epithelial markers was present in RS-L cells. EGFR, PIK3CA, and FGFR3 somatic mutations were found by next-generation sequencing in 56% of the cases. We consider that cutaneous lymphadenoma is a distinct benign lymphoepithelial tumor with androgen receptor and hair follicle bulge stem cell marker expression, RS-L cell-derived Notch1 ligand, and common EGFR gene mutations.

Identification of anti-microbial peptides and traces of microbial DNA in infrainfundibular compartments of human scalp terminal hair follicles.

BACKGROUND: The upper follicular compartment, a well-known reservoir of cutaneous microbiota, constitutes a space for intensive cross-barrier dialogue. The lower follicle comprises the bulb and bulge, structures with relative immune-privileged status, crucial for physiological cycling, and widely considered to be microbial-free. OBJECTIVES: Following our initial immunohistochemical screening for regulatory cytokines and defensin expression in anagen hair follicles, we aimed to confirm our results with a follow-up ELISA investigation. We postulated that exposure to microbial components may trigger expression, and thus opted to investigate microbial presence in this area. MATERIALS & METHODS: We performed immunohistochemical staining for selected cytokines and antimicrobial peptides, and Gram and Giemsa staining on tissue sections from healthy individuals. Based on ELISA analyses, we confirmed a marked presence of IL-17A- and HBD2 in infrainfundibular compartments from plucked anagen hair follicles of 12 individuals (six females, six males; frontal and occipital scalp sites). 16S rRNA sequencing on microbial DNA extracted from lower follicles, as well as fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were applied to explore bacterial presence in the infrainfundibular compartments. RESULTS: 16S rRNA sequencing yielded reproducible data of bacterial presence in infrainfundibular compartments of plucked scalp follicles; Lawsonella clevelandensis, Staphylococcaceae and Propionibacteriaceae were the most abundant bacteria. Also, FISH revealed biofilm structures formed by Cutibacterium acnes (formerly Propionibacterium acnes) and Staphylococcus sp. below the infundibulum. CONCLUSION: As the skin microbiome largely influences the local immune system, the presence of bacteria in proximity to follicular immune-privileged areas may be of relevance to hair cycling in health and disease.

Acneiform Presentations of Folliculotropic Mycosis Fungoides.

BACKGROUND: Folliculotropic mycosis fungoides (FMF) is a variant of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma that has clinical overlap with a variety of inflammatory follicular unit disorders. However, we describe distinctive presentations of FMF with acneiform features that can be diagnostically challenging, leading to diagnostic delay. OBJECTIVE: To highlight the importance of histopathologic and immunohistochemical evaluation for diagnostic confirmation of presumed inflammatory follicular unit-based disorders that are unusual in presentation or unresponsive to standard therapies. METHODS: A cross-sectional retrospective study of 5 consecutive patients with a histopathologic diagnosis of FMF was conducted. The clinical, histopathologic, immunophenotypic, and molecular genetic features of cases are presented. RESULTS: We describe 5 patients with clinical and histopathologic presentations of FMF masquerading as hidradenitis suppurativa, furunculosis, or acne vulgaris (age range 34-66 years, 4:1 female to male). Clinical morphologies included open and closed comedones, inflammatory pustules, papules and nodules, follicular papules with keratotic plugging, cysts, and scarring involving the face, trunk, and intertriginous areas. All patients failed to respond to standard therapies, including topical and oral antibiotics, topical and oral retinoids, or topical corticosteroids, before receiving the diagnosis of FMF. Lesional skin biopsies showed a perifollicular CD4-positive T-lymphocytic infiltrate with pilotropism, intrafollicular mucin deposition, foreign-body granulomatous inflammation, acute inflammation, and follicular epithelial necrosis. None had concurrent systemic mycosis fungoides. LIMITATIONS: Small retrospective cohort study. CONCLUSION: We present these cases to expand the clinical and histopathologic spectrum of FMF that may strikingly resemble acneiform disorders and to highlight the importance of diagnostic reconsideration with histopathologic evaluation.

Analysis of Cytokines and ATP in Plucked Hair Follicles.

The concentrations of ATP, IL-6, and IL-10 were measured in extracts of plucked hair follicles from healthy volunteers (normal values) and patients with androgenetic alopecia and then, ATP, IL-6, and IL-10 content was calculated for each follicle. The resulting values were directly proportional to hair follicle length, except for IL-6. The concentration of extracted ATP correlated with lactate dehydrogenase activity indicating cell damage. In patients with androgenetic alopecia, IL-10 content exceeded the normal values in follicles with a length <1 mm and ATP content surpassed the normal in follicles >2 mm long. The content of IL-6 and IL-10 measured by ELISA was comparable with results of mRNA expression assayed by RT-PCR, which attested to moderate level of gene expression. The content of ATP and IL- 10, but not IL-6 depended on the length of plucked hair follicle and on pathogenetic factors affecting hair growth.

Gene expression profile of human follicle dermal papilla cells in response to Camellia japonica phytoplacenta extract.

Camellia japonica L. is a flowering tree with several medicinal and cosmetic applications. Here, we investigated the efficacy of C. japonica placenta extract (CJPE) as a potential therapeutic agent for promotion of hair growth and scalp health by using various in vitro and in vivo assays. Moreover, we performed transcriptome analysis to examine the relative expression of human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPC) in response to CJPE by RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). In vitro assays revealed upregulation of the expression of hair growth marker genes in HFDPC after CJPE treatment. Moreover, in vivo clinical tests with 42 adult female participants showed that a solution containing 0.5% CJPE increased the moisture content of the scalp and decreased the scalp's sebum content, dead scalp keratin, and erythema. Furthermore, RNA-seq analysis revealed key genes in HFDPC which are associated with CJPE. Interestingly, genes associated with lipid metabolism and cholesterol efflux were upregulated. Genes upregulated by CJPE are associated with several hormones, including parathyroid, adrenocorticotropic hormone, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), and norepinephrine, which are involved in hair follicle biology. Furthermore, some upregulated genes are associated with the regulation of axon guidance. In contrast, many genes downregulated by CJPE are associated with structural components of the cytoskeleton. In addition, CJPE suppressed genes associated with muscle structure and development. Taken together, this study provides extensive evidence that CJPE may have potential as a therapeutic agent for scalp treatment and hair growth promotion.

Localisation and regulation of cholesterol transporters in the human hair follicle: mapping changes across the hair cycle.

Cholesterol has long been suspected of influencing hair biology, with dysregulated homeostasis implicated in several disorders of hair growth and cycling. Cholesterol transport proteins play a vital role in the control of cellular cholesterol levels and compartmentalisation. This research aimed to determine the cellular localisation, transport capability and regulatory control of cholesterol transport proteins across the hair cycle. Immunofluorescence microscopy in human hair follicle sections revealed differential expression of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters across the hair cycle. Cholesterol transporter expression (ABCA1, ABCG1, ABCA5 and SCARB1) reduced as hair follicles transitioned from growth to regression. Staining for free cholesterol (filipin) revealed prominent cholesterol striations within the basement membrane of the hair bulb. Liver X receptor agonism demonstrated active regulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1, but not ABCA5 or SCARB1 in human hair follicles and primary keratinocytes. These results demonstrate the capacity of human hair follicles for cholesterol transport and trafficking. Future studies examining the role of cholesterol transport across the hair cycle may shed light on the role of lipid homeostasis in human hair disorders.

Chimeric status of biological samples after HSCT for personal identification: Y-STR based DNA analysis in sex mismatch cases.

Identification of an individual is the prime object in forensic case works both in civil or criminal situations like paternity/maternity disputes, sexual assaults, murder, mass disaster victims etc. STR analysis has already proved its potential to give accurate results. In addition to autosomal chromosomes, sex determination at many times is crucial in forensic situations, especially in situations like rape cases or in cases of missing persons. The chances of wrong interpretations may arise due to false detection (or non-detection) of STR fragments overall or only at amelogenin-specific fragments, in situation like mutations, intersex conditions, trans-sexualism etc., due to natural or artificial chimersim. The forensic relevance of the possible misinterpretation of STR's or amelogenin should never be underestimated. The present study was carried out to identify an individual using Y-STR in sex mismatch patients who received hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a method to replace patient's stem cell with the stem cell donated by the donor preferably biological related in order to cure malignant and non malignant diseases. This study enrolled ten female patients of HSCT. Samples were collected as pre and post transplant after 15 days, 30 days, 60 days, and 90 days of time interval from sex mismatch patient (female) and from donor (male) and chimeric status of the patient was analyzed using Y-STR markers (23 loci). Results demonstrated that donor genotype existed in blood and buccal swab of the recipient but no genetic profile existed for Y-STR in hair follicle of the recipient. This study suggests that only hair follicle out of three biological samples tested serves as reliable source of recipient's origin after HSCT for accurate personal identification especially in forensic situations.

Determination of the pH Gradient in Hair Follicles of Human Volunteers Using pH-Sensitive Melamine Formaldehyde-Pyranine Nile Blue Microparticles.

Nanoparticles can be applied to the hair follicles, which can serve as reservoirs for triggered drug release. A valid measurement method for the determination of the pH within the hair follicle in vivo has not been shown yet. Here, melamine formaldehyde particles up to 9 µm in size were applied on 40 freshly plucked scalp hairs of eight individuals to determine the pH along the hair shaft down to the root area of the hair. For fluorescent pH indicators, pyranine and Nile blue were incorporated into the particles. Measurements were conducted using confocal laser scanning microscopy. A pH decay gradient could be found from the hair sheath towards the external hair shaft (p = 0.012) with pH values at the hair sheath of 6.63 ± 0.09, at the hair sheath end at 6.33 ± 0.11, and at the external hair shaft at 6.17 ± 0.09 (mean ± SE). The pH difference between the hair sheath end and the external hair shaft was found to be significant (p = 0.036). The results might be comparable with the pH within the hair follicle in vivo indicating a pH increase towards the hair root.

Effect of Rubbing on the Distribution of Topically Applied Drugs into the Hair Follicles.

Rubbing actions are often conducted to apply topical formulations onto the skin. Although rubbing was found to increase the skin permeation of drugs, few reports have revealed whether rubbing enhanced either drug permeation through the stratum corneum (SC) or hair follicles (HFs) pathways, or through both. In the present study, we investigated the effects of rubbing on caffeine (CAF) distribution in the SC and HFs. The effect of rubbing direction on the skin penetration of CAF was also investigated. The skin concentration of CAF and its cumulative permeation amount were increased clearly by rubbing. More than six times higher CAF concentrations in the viable epidermis and dermis were observed 5 min after rubbing application compared with no rubbing. On the other hand, slightly increased CAF concentrations were observed in the SC, suggesting that CAF was delivered through the HF pathway by rubbing. Rubbing against the natural hair direction provided the highest skin permeation as well as skin concentrations. Changes in the morphology of the HF opening area might be related to the enhancement effect. These results may provide useful information to understand the effect of rubbing on the skin permeation of applied drugs.

Skin transcriptome reveals the periodic changes in genes underlying cashmere (ground hair) follicle transition in cashmere goats.

BACKGROUND: Cashmere goats make an outstanding contribution to the livestock textile industry and their cashmere is famous for its slenderness and softness and has been extensively studied. However, there are few reports on the molecular regulatory mechanisms of the secondary hair follicle growth cycle in cashmere goats. In order to explore the regular transition through the follicle cycle and the role of key genes in this cycle, we used a transcriptome sequencing technique to sequence the skin of Inner Mongolian cashmere goats during different months. We analyzed the variation and difference in genes throughout the whole hair follicle cycle. We then verified the regulatory mechanism of the cashmere goat secondary hair follicle growth cycle using fluorescence quantitative PCR. RESULTS: The growth cycle of cashmere hair could be divided into three distinct periods: a growth period (March-September), a regression period (September-December), and a resting period (December-March). The results of differential gene analyses showed that March was the most significant month. Cluster analysis of gene expression throughout the whole growth cycle further supported the key nodes of the three periods of cashmere growth, and the differential gene expression of keratin corresponding to the ground haircashmere growth cycle further supported the results from tissue slices. Quantitative fluorescence analysis showed that KAP3-1, KRTAP 8-1, and KRTAP 24-1 genes had close positive correlation with the cashmere growth cycle, and their regulation was consistent with the growth cycle of cashmere. CONCLUSION: The growth cycle of cashmere cashmere could be divided into three distinct periods: a growth period (March-September), a regression period (September-December) and a resting period (December-March). March was considered to be the beginning of the cycle. KAP and KRTAP showed close positive correlation with the growth cycle of secondary hair follicle cashmere growth, and their regulation was consistent with the cashmere growth cycle. But hair follicle development-related genes are expressed earlier than cashmere growth, indicating that cycle regulation could alter the temporal growth of cashmere. This study laid a theoretical foundation for the study of the cashmere development cycle and provided evidence for key genes during transition through the cashmere cycle. Our study provides a theoretical basis for cashmere goat breeding.

Chi-miR-30b-5p inhibits dermal papilla cells proliferation by targeting CaMKIIδ gene in cashmere goat.

BACKGROUND: During goat embryonic morphogenesis and postnatal initiation of hair follicle (HF) regeneration, dermal papilla (DP) cells play a vital role in hair formation. Growing evidence shows that microRNAs (miRNAs) participate in HF development and DP cell proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms have not been thoroughly investigated. RESULT: In this study, we utilized miRNA sequencing (miRNA-Seq) to identify differentially expressed miRNAs at different HF cycling stages (anagen and telogen). MiRNA-Seq has identified 411 annotated miRNAs and 130 novel miRNAs in which 29 miRNAs were up-regulated and 32 miRNAs were down-regulated in the anagen phase compared to the telogen phase. Target gene prediction and functional enrichment analysis indicated some major biological pathways related to hair cycling, such as Wnt signaling pathways, ECM-receptor interaction, VEGF signaling pathway, biosynthesis of amino acids, metabolic pathways, ribosome and oxidative phosphorylation. Also, we explored the function of chi-miR-30b-5p in regulating hair growth cycle. Similar to the HF cycling, DP cells were isolated from skin and used to investigate miRNA functions. The MTT and EdU assays showed that the viability and proliferation of DP cells were inhibited or promoted after the transfection of chi-miR-30b-5p mimic or inhibitor, respectively. Bioinformatics analysis revealed CaMKIIδ as a candidate target gene of chi-miR-30b-5p, and the dual-luciferase and western blot assay demonstrated that chi-miR-30b-5p bound to the 3'UTR of CaMKIIδ and further inhibited its translation. CONCLUSION: Chi-miR-30b-5p was found to be highly expressed in the telogen than that in the anagen phase and could inhibit the proliferation of DP cells by targeting CaMKIIδ. Our study provides new information on the regulatory functions of miRNAs during HF development.

Enhanced Follicular Delivery of Finasteride to Human Scalp Skin Using Heat and Chemical Penetration Enhancers.

PURPOSE: The aim of this work was to evaluate whether improved topical delivery of finasteride, focussed to the hair follicles of human scalp skin could be achieved with application of short durations of heat and use of specific chemical penetration enhancers. METHODS: Franz cell experiments with human scalp skin were performed with a range of chemical penetration enhancers at 32°C and 45°C to simulate normal and heated conditions. Selected chemical penetration enhancers were taken forward for finite dose Franz cell studies which examined the effect of heat produced by a prototype external heating system that supplied either 20 or 30 min of additional heat over both a 24 h and a 1 h time period. RESULTS: Short durations of externally applied heat significantly increased finasteride penetration into human scalp skin after 24 h. Analysis of drug distribution in the skin after 1 h and 24 h indicated that both heat and chemical penetration enhancer selection influenced drug delivery to the hair follicles. CONCLUSION: The use of short durations of heat in combination with specific chemical penetration enhancers was able to increase the delivery of finasteride to human scalp skin and provide focussed drug delivery to the hair follicles.

Chitosan/LiCl composite scaffolds promote skin regeneration in full-thickness loss.

Small molecules loaded into biological materials present a promising strategy for stimulating endogenous repair mechanisms for in situ skin regeneration. Lithium can modulate various biologic processes, promoting proliferation, angiogenesis, and decreasing inflammation. However, its role in skin repair is rarely reported. In this study, we loaded lithium chloride (LiCl) into the chitosan (CHI) hydrogel and develop a sterile and biocompatible sponge scaffold through freeze-drying. In-vitro assessment demonstrated that the CHI-LiCl composite scaffolds (CLiS) possessed favorable cytocompatibility, swelling and biodegradation. We created full-thickness skin wounds in male C57BL/c mice to evaluate the healing capacity of CLiS. Compared with the wounds of control and CHI scaffold (CS) groups, the wounds in the CLiS-treated group showed reduced inflammation, improved angiogenesis, accelerated re-epithelialization, sustained high expression of ß-catenin with a small amount of regenerated hair follicles. Therefore, CLiS may be a promising therapeutic dressing for skin wound repair and regeneration.

Expression analysis of proteasome maturation protein (POMP) gene in Liaoning Cashmere goat.

Liaoning Cashmere goat is a precious genetic resource of China. To explore the relationship between POMP and cashmere growth, we analyzed the expression of POMP. POMP encodes a hudrophilic protein which is most closely related to bos. RT-PCR showed that POMP was expressed in skin, heart, liver, spleen, lung, and kidney tissues. Real-time PCR showed that the expression of POMP was more active in the secondary hair follicles than the primary hair follicles in anagen. In situ hybridization showed that POMP was obviously expressed in the Inner Root Sheath (IRS) but no expression in Outer Root. The treatment of fibroblasts with melatonin (MT), fibroblast growth factors 5 (FGF5) and insulin-like growth factors 1 (IGF-1) showed that MT/FGF5/IGF-1 much performance for inhibiting the expression of POMP; MT + FGF5 inhibited the expression of POMP; MT + IGF-1 promoted the expression of POMP. When Noggin expression is decreased by siRNA, the expression of POMP is inhibited. To sum up, POMP strongly expressed in the root sheath of hair follicles, related to the development of the primary and secondary hair follicle; In addition, by adding MT/FGF5/IGF-1 or interfering with the Noggin expression to regulate the expression of POMP, to control the growth of Liaoning Cashmere goat cashmere.

Magnetotrichography: Measuring the dc magnetic field produced by hair follicles.

We here describe the dc magnetic field over the human head produced by healthy hair follicles when the scalp is lightly pressed. This phenomenon was briefly reported decades earlier, where a double-planar SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Devices) gradiometer at a single location was used. We here perform a larger study, using the dcMEG containing 102 double-planar gradiometers covering the whole scalp. The field is displayed as an on-line arrow map over the head, showing the approximate flow of direct current (dc) in the scalp. Standard sets of five arrow maps per subject were measured, where the subject successively pressed parts of their head against the inside of the helmet. These maps were made for 15 normal subjects (5 females), and 2 with alopecia (non-functioning follicles). The directions of "pressed" generating arrows always followed the natural tilt of the follicles, verifying the follicles as generators, with a time constant of about one second. The maximum generator dipole strength was about 24 µA-cm. Scalp electric potentials corresponding to the magnetic signals were masked by much larger electrodermal potentials. Therefore, this magnetic method, called magnetotrichography, is unique in measuring this follicular electrical activity, with possible applications in studying baldness and hair diseases.

Altered polyamine profiling in the hair of patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata.

Hair follicles are among the most highly proliferative tissues. Polyamines are associated with proliferation, and several polyamines including spermidine and spermine play anti-inflammatory roles. Androgenic alopecia results from increased dihydrotestosterone metabolism, and alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease. This study aimed to investigate differences in polyamine profiles in hair samples between patients with androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Polyamine concentrations were determined through high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Hair samples were derivatized with isobutyl chloroformate. Differences in polyamine levels were observed between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata compared with normal controls. In particular, polyamine levels were higher in alopecia areata patients than in normal controls. Certain polyamines displayed different concentrations between the androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata groups, suggesting that some polyamines, particularly N-acetyl putrescine (P = 0.007) and N-acetyl cadaverine (P = 0.0021), are significantly different in androgenic alopecia. Furthermore, spermidine (P = 0.021) was significantly different in alopecia areata. Our findings suggest that non-invasive quantification of hair polyamines may help distinguish between androgenic alopecia and alopecia areata. Our study provides novel insights into physiological alterations in patients with androgenic alopecia and those with alopecia areata and reveals some differences in polyamine levels in hair loss diseases with two different modes of action.