7: Biology of Hair Follicles Flashcards
(324 cards)
What is the role of homeobox genes in hair follicle development?
Homeobox genes are responsible for the nonrandom, symmetrical distribution of hair follicles over the body and are involved in patterning during embryonic development.
What are the key signaling pathways involved in the formation of hair placodes?
The key signaling pathways involved in hair placode formation include Wnt, Eda, Fgf, and BMP. These pathways regulate the development and patterning of hair follicles.
How does the WNT/B-catenin pathway influence hair follicle initiation?
The WNT/B-catenin pathway inhibits the degradation of B-catenin, allowing it to translocate to the nucleus and form a complex with LEF/TCF transcription factors, which positively regulates hair follicle initiation and establishes epithelial competence.
What is the significance of Ectodysplasin (EDA) in hair follicle development?
Ectodysplasin (EDA) is related to TNF and EDAR receptors, stimulating early follicle development. Mutations in the EDA gene can lead to X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, resulting in a decreased number of hair follicles and defects in teeth and sweat glands.
What is the function of BMP in hair follicle development?
BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) inhibits follicle formation and placode formation. It plays a role in localizing to early placodes and underlying mesenchyme, with specific BMPs like Bmp2 and Bmp4 having distinct roles in hair follicle development.
Describe the Notch pathway’s role in hair follicle patterning.
The Notch pathway is involved in follicular patterning. Notch delta ligand-1 expressed in the mesenchyme promotes and accelerates placode formation while suppressing placode formation in surrounding cells when misexpressed in a small part of the epithelium.
What is the role of Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) in hair follicle development?
Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) plays a major role in epithelial-mesenchyme signaling. It regulates the proliferation of epithelial cells and the lateral expansion of the follicular placode, promoting the morphogenesis of the dermal papilla.
What are the stages of hair follicle development as described in the text?
The stages of hair follicle development include: 1. Epithelial Placode or Primary Hair Germ - Formation of the epithelial portion of the hair follicle. 2. Bulbous Peg or Hair Bud - Elongation of the hair germ into a cord of epithelial cells, leading to the development of the hair follicle matrix.
A patient presents with a mutation in the EDAR gene. What hair characteristics might you expect, and why?
Variations in the EDAR gene are associated with thicker hair due to its role in early follicle development and follicular patterning.
A researcher is studying mice lacking Noggin. What hair follicle development abnormalities might they observe?
Mice lacking Noggin exhibit fewer hair follicles than normal and delayed follicular development because Noggin is a BMP antagonist that promotes placode development.
How would a loss of dermal β-catenin affect hair follicle development?
Loss of dermal β-catenin results in the arrest of hair follicle development as it is essential for initiating hair follicle formation and establishing epithelial competence.
A patient has a mutation in the EDA gene. What clinical features might you observe?
EDA gene mutations cause X-linked anhidrotic ectodermal dysplasia, characterized by a decreased number of hair follicles, defects in teeth, and sweat glands.
What would happen if the Notch delta ligand-1 is misexpressed in a small part of the epithelium?
Misexpression of Notch delta ligand-1 promotes and accelerates placode formation while suppressing placode formation in surrounding cells, affecting follicular patterning.
A patient lacks Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling. What hair follicle abnormalities might you expect?
Lack of SHH results in extremely defective hair follicles and poorly developed dermal papilla due to its role in epithelial-mesenchyme signaling and dermal papilla morphogenesis.
What is the role of homeobox genes in hair follicle development?
Homeobox genes are responsible for the nonrandom, symmetrical distribution of hair follicles over the body and play a crucial role in patterning during embryonic development.
Describe the Notch pathway’s role in hair follicle patterning.
The Notch pathway is involved in follicular patterning. Notch delta ligand-1, when expressed in the mesenchyme underlying the placode, promotes and accelerates placode formation while suppressing placode formation in surrounding cells when misexpressed.
What are the effects of Noggin in hair follicle development?
Noggin acts as a BMP antagonist, promoting placode development. Mice lacking Noggin exhibit fewer hair follicles than normal and delayed follicular development, highlighting its importance in hair follicle formation.
How does Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) contribute to hair follicle morphogenesis?
Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) plays a major role in epithelial-mesenchyme signaling. It regulates the proliferation of epithelial cells and the lateral expansion of the follicular placode, promoting the morphogenesis of the dermal papilla.
What is the relationship between BMP and hair follicle formation?
BMP (bone morphogenetic protein) inhibits both follicle formation and placode formation. Specific BMPs localize to early placodes and underlying mesenchyme, indicating their regulatory role in hair follicle development.
What is the significance of the dermal papilla in hair follicle development?
The dermal papilla is formed through the condensation of dermal cells beneath the hair follicle placode and is crucial for hair follicle development, providing signals necessary for the growth and maintenance of hair follicles.
How do variations in the EDAR gene affect hair characteristics?
Variations in the EDAR gene are associated with thicker hair. This gene plays a significant role in the development and morphology of hair follicles, influencing hair texture and density.
What is the role of transcription factors in hair follicle development?
Transcription factors such as Lhx2, Sox9, Msx2, and Foxi3 are critical in regulating the signaling pathways (Wnt, Eda, Fgf, BMP) that govern the development and patterning of hair follicles during embryogenesis.
What are the components of the cornified cell envelope in hair follicles?
The components of the cornified cell envelope include: - Loricin - Involucrin - Trichohyaline - Transglutaminases
How does hair follicle formation occur?
Hair follicle formation occurs through: - Repeated processes in several waves - Formation of secondary follicles - Clustering into groups of 3 - Oblique orientation with similar angles to neighboring follicles.