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Review
. 2024 Nov 25:2024:5259055.
doi: 10.1155/tswj/5259055. eCollection 2024.

Molecular Mechanisms of Hair Follicle Development

Mebrie Zemene Kinde  1 , Tewodros Abere Mekuria  2 , Abebe Tesfaye Gessese  1 , Bemrew Admassu Mengistu  1
Affiliations
Review

Molecular Mechanisms of Hair Follicle Development

Mebrie Zemene Kinde et al. ScientificWorldJournal. .

Abstract

Hair is an intricate biological structure that originates from hair follicles (HFs), which are complex mini-organs embedded in the skin. Each HF undergoes continuous cycles of growth (anagen), regression (catagen), and rest (telogen), driven by intricate signaling pathways and interactions between epithelial and mesodermal cells. The development of HFs requires the interplay of several key signaling pathways, including Wnt, Shh, Notch, and BMP. The Wnt pathway is primarily involved in induction, Shh is essential for early organogenesis and later stages of cytodifferentiation, Notch signaling governs the fate of HF stem cells, and BMP plays a role in cytodifferentiation. Hair health is closely associated with psychological well-being and personal distress. While hair loss (alopecia) does not impact biological health, it significantly affects social well-being. Therefore, a deep understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying HF development is crucial for developing treatments for hair-related problems and improving hair health. This knowledge has led to significant advancements in therapeutic applications, particularly in treating hair loss disorders, enhancing wound healing, and developing cosmetic treatments. This paper aims to review the molecular mechanisms involved in HF development, with an emphasis on their potential impact on human health and well-being.

Keywords: cytodifferentiation; hair follicle; induction; molecular mechanism; organogenesis.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Embryonic developmental stages of the hair follicle [22].
Figure 2
Figure 2
Stages of HF development with molecules and signaling pathways [25].
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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