The understanding of the anatomy and development of fetal and adult hair follicles and the molecular study of the major embryonic pathways that regulate the hair follicle have led to exciting discoveries concerning the development of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). These studies have shed light on the major roles of Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling and its interactions with the insulin-like growth fa...

Mutations in WNT effector genes perturb hair follicle morphogenesis, suggesting key roles for WNT proteins in this process. We show that expression of Wnts 10b and 10a is upregulated in placodes at the onset of follicle morphogenesis and in postnatal hair follicles beginning a new cycle of hair growth. The expression of additional Wnt genes is observed in follicles at later stages of differenti...

The murine genome is known to have two keratin 6 (K6) genes, mouse K6 (MK6)a and MK6b. These genes display a complex expression pattern with constitutive expression in the epithelia of oral mucosa, hair follicles, and nail beds. We generated mice deficient for both genes through embryonic stem cell technology. The majority of MK6a/b-/- mice die of starvation within the first two weeks of life. ...

Human skin consists of a stratified, cellular epidermis and an underlying dermis of connective tissue [1–5]. The dermal–epidermal junction is undulating in section; ridges of the epidermis, known as rete ridges, project into the dermis. The junction provides mechanical support for the epidermis and acts as a partial barrier against exchange of cells and large molecules. Below the dermis is a fa...

Normal testosterone levels are frequently observed in women with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), suggesting the involvement of androgen sensitivity in this condition. Androgen sensitivity is related to androgen receptor (AR) messenger RNA (mRNA) production in hair follicles and is negatively related to the number of CAG repeats present in exon 1 of the AR gene. The aim of this study was to compare...

We report on a case of a 48-year-old woman presenting with maternally inherited diabetes mellitus and deafness (MIDD) syndrome. Molecular genetic analysis and clinical evaluation were conducted in the patient and her 4 children to investigate the interrelation between an MIDD-associated mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation and clinical manifestations. Various symptoms and markers of MIDD, includi...

Prostanoids, including prostaglandins (PGs) and thromboxane A2 (TXA2), are a family of lipid-derived autacoids that modulate many physiological systems and pathological contexts. Prostanoids are generated by sequential metabolism of arachidonic acid, catalysed by cyclo-oxygenase, to PGH2, which is then converted to PGD2, PGE2, PGF2α, PGI2 and TXA2, catalysed by their specific synthases. Recent ...

Dr. Pierre A. de Viragh, Service de dermatologie, Centre hospitaller universitaire, CH-1011 Lausanne (Switzerland) The case report of Komura and Tani [1] on a hair follicle nevus provides the opportunity to raise the question whether this hamar-toma is really an entity of its own. There are some indications that the hair follicle nevus could be a well-differentiated trichofollicu-loma cut at it...