A Selectable Biomarker in Hair Follicle Cycles – Cathepsins: A Preliminary Study in Murine

Abstract

<b><i>Background/Objective:</i></b> Hair cycle is regulated by many biological factors. Cathepsins are involved in various physiological processes in human skin. Here, we investigated the cathepsin expression and distribution changes in follicular growth cycles for better understanding the hair cycles and to explore new intervention measures. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> The 24 mice (C57BL/6, female, 7-week old) were selected and removed the back hair via rosin/paraffin method. At Day 8, Day 20, and Day 25, biopsy on post-plucking area was done. Immunohistochemical staining, Western blot, and Q-PCR were used to test the cathepsin B/D/L/E. <b><i>Results:</i></b> In anagen, cathepsins (B, D, L, and E) were distributed in the hair follicle matrix, inner hair root sheath, and hair. In catagen, cathepsins were mainly observed in un-apoptosis inner root sheath and outer root sheath. Expression of cathepsins B-mRNA and L-mRNA was decreased from anagen and catagen to telogen. Cathepsin D-mRNA was increased in catagen and then decreased in telogen. Cathepsin E-mRNA was decreased in catagen and slightly increased in telogen. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> The distribution and expression of cathepsins B, D, L, and E in hair follicle changed with hair growth process which indicated that cathepsins might act as selectable biomarkers of hair cycle in different stages.

Dermal papilla cell‐secreted biglycan regulates hair follicle phase transit and regeneration by activating Wnt/β‐catenin

“…33 As an extracellular matrix protein, studies have indicated that biglycan is widely expressed in many tissues in vivo and in vitro. 25,[34][35][36] In fact, previous studies have shown that biglycan is expressed in human HFs. 20,21 In the present study, we demonstrate that biglycan is expressed during the hair cycle, presenting a phase-dependent manner, being mainly localized in the epidermis, outer root sheath (ORS), inner root sheath (IRS), sebaceous gland (SG) and DP, with the strongest expression of biglycan at Days 5 and 12 (middle and late anagen).…”

“…A prior study provided evidence that an SLRP member decorin is expressed in murine hair cycling and acts to preserve anagen, indicating an involvement of proteoglycan in follicular morphogenesis 33 . As an extracellular matrix protein, studies have indicated that biglycan is widely expressed in many tissues in vivo and in vitro 25,34–36 . In fact, previous studies have shown that biglycan is expressed in human HFs 20,21 .…”

“…For determination of the biglycan expression pattern throughout the hair cycle, liquid and rosin/paraffin were used to induce anagen in the dorsal skin according to a previous report 25 . At Days 0, 3, 5, 12 and 18 post‐depilation, skin specimens were biopsied, and the phases of telogen, anagen II, anagen IV, anagen VI and catagen were determined.…”

Clinical Perspectives of Gene-Targeted Therapies for Epidermolysis Bullosa

“…Molecular interaction studies predicted several binding clusters for both compounds scattered along the rpL35 structure, while NMR titration studies and docking calculations identified an N-terminal domain of rpL35, where the non-identical binding sites for atazanavir and artesunate overlap. This rpl35 domain is accessible when rpL35 is integrated in its natural ribosomal environment, suggesting that treatment with artesunate and atazanavir may target the translating ribosome [ 119 ]. In initial studies using artesunate in a suitable cellular model to rescue the LAMB3 -PTC defect, persistent increase in production of full-length LAMB3 protein expression could be demonstrated (Breitenbach-Koller et al, unpublished data).…”