The amazing miniorgan: Hair follicle

The Hair Follicle as a Dynamic Miniorgan

Hair is a primary characteristic of mammals, and exerts a wide range of functions including thermoregulation, physical protection, sensory activity, and social interactions. The hair shaft consists of terminally differentiated keratinocytes that are produced by the hair follicle. Hair follicle development takes place during fetal skin development and relies on tightly regulated ectodermal-mesod...

Hair follicle nevus.

We present a case of hair follicle nevus, a rare hamartoma composed of vellus hair follicles. Hair follicle nevus should be differentiated from accessory auricle, trichofolliculoma and hair nevus.

Hair follicle predetermination.

Recent genetic and molecular studies of hair follicle (HF) biology have provided substantial insight; however, the molecular data, including expression patterns, cannot be properly appreciated without an understanding of the basic cellular rearrangements and interactions that underpin HF cyclic transformations. We present a novel interpretation of the major cellular processes that take place du...

Hair follicle differentiation and regulation.

Ten years ago, Hardy (1992) wrote a timely review on the major features of hair follicle development and hair growth which she referred to as a secret life. Many of these secrets are now being revealed. The information discussed in this brief review comprises the structure of the hair and hair follicle, the continuing characterisation of the genes for keratin and keratin associated proteins, th...

SnapShot: Hair Follicle Stem Cells