Skip to main content

Advertisement

Log in

Suppression of hair follicle development inhibits induction of sonic hedgehog, patched, and patched-2 in hair germs in mice

  • Original paper
  • Published:
Archives of Dermatological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract Embryonic induction of hair follicles is a fascinating model of localized morphogenesis from a simple homogeneous epithelial cell sheet. Accumulating evidence indicates that Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signaling plays a central role in hair follicle formation. We quantitated the expression levels of Shh and its receptor genes, Patched (Ptc) and Patched-2 (Ptch2), in two distinct experimental systems in which the development of hair follicles was suppressed. Shh, Ptc, and Ptch2 were induced about six- to tenfold in normal embryonic hair germs in vivo as well as in developing skin tissue maintained in organ culture. This induction was almost completely inhibited both in the developing skin tissue of ICR mice cultured with 30 ng/ml epidermal growth factor and in embryos of Tabby mutant mice (a model of hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia) at 14.5–15.5 days postcoitus. Expression of Shh, Ptc and Ptch2 was induced in the Tabby embryos at 16.5 days postcoitus, indicating that Shh signaling may be involved in the formation not only of the well-studied guard hair but also of the awl hair. The potential of the two biological systems for studying molecular mechanisms in hair follicle formation, particularly at an early phase including Shh signaling, is discussed.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Additional information

Received: 24 October 2000 / Revised: 24 March 2001 / Accepted: 11 July 2001

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Yamago, G., Takata, Y., Furuta, I. et al. Suppression of hair follicle development inhibits induction of sonic hedgehog, patched, and patched-2 in hair germs in mice. Arch Dermatol Res 293, 435–441 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004030100252

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004030100252

Navigation