Skip to main content

Biology of the Hair Follicle

  • Chapter
Hair Growth and Disorders

Abstract

Over the last few decades, progress in molecular biology and genetics, as well as the development of new experimental approaches, has brought together scientists from all fields. Developmental biologists, geneticists, endocrinologists, and dermatologists now study the many diverse facets of hair follicle biology including neuroectodermal– mesenchymal interactions, immunology, pigmentation, and stem cell biology.

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

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 299.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  1. Adolphe C, Narang M, Ellis T et al. (2004) An in vivo comparative study of sonic, desert and Indian hedgehog reveals that hedgehog pathway activity regulates epidermal stem cell homeostasis. Development 131:5009–5019

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Alonso L, Fuchs E (2006) The hair cycle. J Cell Sci 119:391–393

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Amoh Y, Li L, Campillo R et al. (2005) Implanted hair follicle stem cells form Schwann cells that support repair of severed peripheral nerves. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102:17734–17738

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Argyris T (1976) Kinetics of epidermal production during epidermal regeneration following abrasion in mice. Am J Pathol 83:329–340

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Arnold I, Watt FM (2001) c-Myc activation in transgenic mouse epidermis results in mobilization of stem cells and differentiation of their progeny. Curr Biol 11:558–568

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Barman JM, Astore I, Pecoraro V (1965) The normal trichogram of the adult. J Invest Dermatol 44:233–236

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Billingham RE (1958) A reconsideration of the phenomenon of hair neogenesis with particular reference to the healing of cutaneous wounds in adult mammals. In: Montagna W, Ellis RA (eds) The biology of hair growth. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  8. Blume U, Schon MP, Zouboulis CC et al. (1994) Vellus hair follicle-derived keratinocyte culture: a new experimental model in human hair research. Skin Pharmacol 7:27–32

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Breathnach AS, Robins EJ (1981) Ultrastructure of developing hair tract and hair canal in the human fetus. In: Orfanos CE, Montagna W, Stuttgen G (eds) Hair research. Springer Berlin Heidelberg New York

    Google Scholar 

  10. Chambers E (1728) Cyclopaedia, or, an universal dictionary of arts and sciences. Midwinter, London

    Google Scholar 

  11. Christoph T, Muller-Rover S, Audring H et al. (2000) The human hair follicle immune system: cellular composition and immune privilege. Br J Dermatol 142:862–873

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Cotsarelis G (2006) Epithelial stem cells: a folliculocentric view. J Invest Dermatol 126:1459–1468

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Cotsarelis G, Sun TT, Lavker RM (1990) Label-retaining cells reside in the bulge area of pilosebaceous unit: implications for follicular stem cells, hair cycle, and skin carcinogenesis. Cell 61:1329–1337

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Courtois M, Loussouarn G, Hourseau S et al. (1996) Periodicity in the growth and shedding of hair. Br J Dermatol 134:47–54

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Cui CY, Schlessinger D (2006) EDA signaling and skin appendage development. Cell Cycle 5: 2477–2483

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Das BM (1974) A study of cross sections of head hair from some caucasoid and mongoloid populations of Assam, India. Z Morphol Anthropol 65:324–328

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Das-Chaudhuri AB, Chopra VP (1984) Variation in hair histological variables: medulla and diameter. Hum Hered 34:217–221

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Derham W (1713) Chapter XII, of animals clothing. In: Physico-theology: Or, a demonstration of the being and attributes of god, from his works of creation. W. Innys, London

    Google Scholar 

  19. Ebling FJ (1980) The physiology of hair growth. Cosmetic Science 2:181–232

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Elliott K, Stephenson TJ, Messenger AG (1999) Differences in hair follicle dermal papilla volume are due to extracellular matrix volume and cell number: implications for the control of hair follicle size and androgen responses. J Invest Dermatol 113:873–877

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Ferriman D (1971) Human hair growth in health and disease. Thomas CC Springfield, Illinois

    Google Scholar 

  22. Friedenthal H (1908) Das Dauerhaarkleid des Menschen. Fischer, Jena

    Google Scholar 

  23. Garn SM, Selby S, Young R (1954) Scalp thickness and the fat-loss theory of balding. AMA Arch Derm Syphilol 70:601–608

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Gat U, DaGupta R, Degenstein L et al. (1998) De Novo hair follicle morphogenesis and hair tumors in mice expressing a truncated beta-catenin in skin. Cell 95:605–614

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Giacometti L (1965) The anatomy of human scalp. Advances in biology of skin. In: Montagna W (ed) Biology of skin, Vol. VI. Pergamon, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  26. Gilliam AC, Kremer IB, Yoshida Y et al. (1998) The human hair follicle: a reservoir of CD40+ B7-deficient Langerhans cells that repopulate epidermis after UVB exposure. J Invest Dermatol 110:422–427

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Gordon MD, Nusse R (2006) Wnt signaling: multiple pathways, multiple receptors, and multiple transcription factors. J Biol Chem 281:22429–22433

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Hardy MK (1969) The differentiation of hair follicles and hairs in organ culture. In: Montagna W, Dobson RL (eds) Advances in biology of skin volume, IX: hair growth. Pergamon, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  29. Hoffmann R (2001) TrichoScan: combining epiluminescence microscopy with digital image analysis for the measurement of hair growth in vivo. Eur J Dermatol 11:362–368

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Holbrook KA, Minami SI (1991) Hair follicle embryogenesis in the human. Characterization of events in vivo and in vitro. Ann N Y Acad Sci 642:167–196

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Ito M, Kizawa K, Toyoda M et al. (2002) Label-retaining cells in the bulge region are directed to cell death after plucking, followed by healing from the surviving hair germ. J Invest Dermatol 119:1310–1316

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  32. Ito M, Liu Y, Yang Z et al. (2005) Stem cells in the hair follicle bulge contribute to wound repair but not to homeostasis of the epidermis. Nat Med 11:1351–1354

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  33. Ito T, Ito N, Bettermann A et al. (2004) Collapse and restoration of MHC class-I-dependent immune privilege: exploiting the human hair follicle as a model. Am J Pathol 164:623–634

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  34. Jahoda CA, Reynolds AJ, Oliver RF (1993) Induction of hair growth in ear wounds by cultured dermal papilla cells. J Invest Dermatol 101:584–590

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Kligman AM (1959) The human hair cycle. J Invest Dermatol 33:307–316

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Kligman AM (1961) Pathologic dynamics of human hair loss. I. Telogen effuvium. Arch Dermatol 83:175–198

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  37. Koch PJ, Mahoney MG, Cotsarelis G et al. (1998) Desmoglein 3 anchors telogen hair in the follicle. J Cell Sci 111 (Pt 17):2529–2537

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Kumamoto T, Shalhevet D, Matsue H et al. (2003) Hair follicles serve as local reservoirs of skin mast cell precursors. Blood 102:1654–1660

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Lako M, Armstrong L, Cairns PM et al. (2002) Hair follicle dermal cells repopulate the mouse haematopoietic system. J Cell Sci 115:3967–3974

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  40. Levy V, Lindon C, Harfe BD et al. (2005) Distinct stem cell populations regenerate the follicle and interfollicular epidermis. Dev Cell 9:855–861

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  41. Loussouarn G, El RC, Genain G (2005) Diversity of hair growth profiles. Int J Dermatol 44 [Suppl 1]:6–9

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Matich J, Basford Nicholson LF, Barling PM (2003) Mitotic activity in the growing red deer antler. Cell Biol Int 27:625–632

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. McElwee KJ, Kissling S, Wenzel E et al. (2003) Cultured peribulbar dermal sheath cells can induce hair follicle development and contribute to the dermal sheath and dermal papilla. J Invest Dermatol 121:1267–1275

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  44. McElwee KJ, Yu M, Park SW et al. (2005) What can we learn from animal models of alopecia areata? Dermatology 211:47–53

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  45. Mercelot V (1998) Application of a tensile-strength test method to the evaluation of hydrating hair products. Int J Cosmetic Sci 20:241–249

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Messenger AG (1984) The culture of dermal papilla cells from human hair follicles. Br J Dermatol 110:685–689

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Millar SE (2002) Molecular mechanisms regulating hair follicle development. J Invest Dermatol 118:216–225

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  48. Montagna W (1956) The structure and function of skin. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  49. Montagna W, Van Scott EJ, The anatomy of the hair follicle. In: Montagna W, Ellia RA (1958) The biology of hair growth, Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  50. Montagna W, Parakkal PF (1974) The structure and function of skin. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  51. Morris RJ (2000) Keratinocyte stem cells: targets for cutaneous carcinogens. J Clin Invest 106:3–8

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Morris RJ, Liu Y, Marles L et al. (2004) Capturing and profiling adult hair follicle stem cells. Nat Biotechnol 22:411–417

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  53. Muller-Rover S, Handjiski B, van DV et al. (2001) A comprehensive guide for the accurate classification of murine hair follicles in distinct hair cycle stages. J Invest Dermatol 117:3–15

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  54. Myers RJ, Hamilton JB (1951) Regeneration and rate of growth of hairs in man. Ann N Y Acad Sci 53:562–568

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  55. Nakamura M, Sundberg JP, Paus R (2001) Mutant laboratory mice with abnormalities in hair follicle morphogenesis, cycling, and/or structure: annotated tables. Exp Dermatol 10:369–390

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  56. Narisawa Y, Hashimoto K, Kohda H (1995) Perifollicular clear space under skirt-like epithelial structure of human small vellus hair follicle. J Dermatol Sci 10:110–117

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Nishimura EK, Jordan SA, Oshima H et al. (2002) Dominant role of the niche in melanocyte stem-cell fate determination. Nature 416:854–860

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  58. Parry DA, Smith TA, Rogers MA et al. (2006) Human hair keratin-associated proteins: sequence regularities and structural implications. J Struct Biol 155:361–369

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Paus R, Foitzik K (2004) In search of the “hair cycle clock”: a guided tour. Differentiation 72:489–511

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Paus R, Nickoloff BJ, Ito T (2005) A ‘hairy’ privilege. Trends Immunol 26:32–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  61. Paus R, Theoharides TC, Arck PC (2006) Neuroimmunoendocrine circuitry of the ‘brain-skin connection’. Trends Immunol 27:32–39

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  62. Pecoraro V, Astore I, Barman JM (1964) Cycle of the scalp hair of the new-born child. J Invest Dermatol 43:145–147

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  63. Pelfini C, Cerimelf D, Pisanu G (1967) Ageing of the skin and hair growth in man. In: Montagna W, Dobson RL (eds) Advances in biology of the skin. Pergamon, Oxford

    Google Scholar 

  64. Peters EM, Arck PC, Paus R (2006) Hair growth inhibition by psychoemotional stress: a mouse model for neural mechanisms in hair growth control. Exp Dermatol 15:1–13

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  65. Philpott MP, Green MR, Kealey T (1992) Rat hair follicle growth in vitro. Br J Dermatol 127:600–607

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  66. Pinkus H (1958) Embryology of hair. In: Montagna W, Ellis RA (eds) The biology of hair growth. Academic Press, New York

    Google Scholar 

  67. Randall VA, Sundberg JP, Philpott MP (2003) Animal and in vitro models for the study of hair follicles. J Invest Dermatol Symp Proc 8:39–45

    Article  Google Scholar 

  68. Rebora A, Guarrera M (2002) Kenogen. A new phase of the hair cycle? Dermatology 205:108–110

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  69. Reddy S, Andl T, Bagasra A et al. (2001) Characterization of Wnt gene expression in developing and postnatal hair follicles and identification of Wnt5a as a target of Sonic hedgehog in hair follicle morphogenesis. Mech Dev 107:69–82

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  70. Reynolds AJ, Lawrence C, Cserhalmi-Friedman PB et al. (1999) Trans-gender induction of hair follicles. Nature 402:33–34

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  71. Rook A (1965) Endocrine influences on hair growth. Br Med J 1:609–614

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  72. Rook A (1975) Hair II Racial and other genetic variations in hair form. Br J Dermatol 92:599–600

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  73. Rosenblum MD, Yancey KB, Olasz EB et al. (2006) CD200, a “no danger” signal for hair follicles. J Dermatol Sci 41:165–174

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  74. Saitoh M, Uzuka M, Sakamoto M (1970) Human hair cycle. J Invest Dermatol 54:65–81

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  75. Schmidt-Ullrich R, Paus R (2005) Molecular principles of hair follicle induction and morphogenesis. Bioessays 27:247–261

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  76. Schweizer J, Bowden PE, Coulombe PA et al. (2006) New consensus nomenclature for mammalian keratins. J Cell Biol 174:169–174

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  77. Schweizer J, Langbein L, Rogers MA et al. (2007) Hair follicle-specific keratins and their diseases. Exp Cell Res Epub ahead of print

    Google Scholar 

  78. Slominski A, Pisarchik A, Tobin DJ et al. (2004) Differential expression of a cutaneous corticotropin-releasing hormone system. Endocrinology 145:941–950

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  79. Slominski A, Wortsman J, Plonka PM et al. (2005) Hair follicle pigmentation. J Invest Dermatol 124:13–21

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  80. Stenn KS (2005) Exogen is an active, separately controlled phase of the hair growth cycle. J Am Acad Dermatol 52:374–375

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  81. Stenn KS, Paus R (2001) Controls of hair follicle cycling. Physiol Rev 81:449–494

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  82. Strumia R, Varotti E, Manzato E et al. (2001) Skin signs in anorexia nervosa. Dermatology 203:314–317

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  83. Szabo G (1967) The regional anatomy of the human integument with special reference to the distribution of hair follicles, sweat glands and melanocytes. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Series B Biol Sci 252:447–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  84. Thomas JA, Biggerstaff M, Sloane JP et al. (1984) Immunological and histochemical analysis of regional variations of epidermal Langerhans cells in normal human skin. Histochem J 16:507–519

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  85. Trotter M (1924) The life cycles of hair in selected regions of the dody. Am J Phys Anthropol 7:427–437

    Article  Google Scholar 

  86. Uchigasaki S, Suzuki H, Inoue K (2004) Merkel cells in the vellus hair follicles of human facial skin: a study using confocal laser microscopy. J Dermatol 31:218–222

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  87. Van Scott EJ, Reinertson RP, Steinmueller R (1957) The growing hair roots of the human scalp and morphologic changes therein following amethopterin therapy. J Invest Dermatol 29:197–204

    Google Scholar 

  88. Von Koelliker RA (1852) Handbuch der Gewebelehre des Menschen. Engelmann, Leipzig

    Google Scholar 

  89. Watt FM (1998) Epidermal stem cells: markers, patterning and the control of stem cell fate. Philos Trans R Soc Lond Series B Biol Sci 353:831–837

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  90. Wolfram L (2003) Human hair: a unique physicochemical composite. J Am Acad Dermatol 48:S106–S114

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2008 Springer London

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Vogt, A., McElwee, K., Blume-Peytavi, U. (2008). Biology of the Hair Follicle. In: Blume-Peytavi, U., Tosti, A., Trüeb, R. (eds) Hair Growth and Disorders. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-46911-7_1

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-46911-7_1

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-540-46908-7

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-540-46911-7

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics