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Rapid Genetic Analysis of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Signaling During Hair Regeneration
Published on: February 28, 2013
Antimicrobial peptide lysozyme has the potential to promote mouse hair follicle growth in vitro
Yongsheng Su1, Hui Liu1, Jin Wang2
1Department of Burn and Plastic Surgery, The People's Hospital of Baoan Shenzhen Affiliated to Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, China.
Abstract:
Lysozyme is a well-known antimicrobial peptide that exists widely in mammalian skin and it is also expressed by pilosebaceous units. However, the exact location of lysozyme in hair follicles and whether it exerts any direct effects on hair follicle growth are unclear. To determine whether lysozyme affected hair growth in vitro, micro-dissected mouse vibrissae follicles (VFs) were treated in serum-free organ culture for 3 days with lysozyme (1-10μg/ml). After that, the effects of lysozyme on dermal papilla (DP) cells were also investigated. Lysozyme was mainly identified in DP and dermal sheath regions of VF by immunochemistry. In addition, 5-10μg/ml lysozyme had a promoting effect on shaft production. It was also associated with significant proliferation of matrix keratinocytes by immunofluorescence observation. Furthermore, lysozyme promoted hair growth by increasing the levels of alkaline phosphatase and lymphoid enhancer factor 1 in DP, as determined by Western blotting. These results indicate that lysozyme is a promoter of VF growth via enhancing the hair-inductive capacity of DP cells during organ culture.
Insights
Lysozyme, an antimicrobial peptide, promotes hair follicle growth by stimulating dermal papilla cells. This study clarifies lysozyme
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Lysozyme is an antimicrobial peptide found in mammalian skin and pilosebaceous units.
- The precise localization and function of lysozyme within hair follicles remain unclear.
- Investigating lysozyme's role in hair follicle development is crucial for understanding hair growth mechanisms.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the localization of lysozyme within mouse vibrissae follicles (VFs).
- To investigate the in vitro effects of lysozyme on hair follicle growth and dermal papilla (DP) cell activity.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which lysozyme influences hair growth.
Main Methods:
- Micro-dissected mouse VFs were cultured in vitro and treated with varying concentrations of lysozyme.
- Immunochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to identify lysozyme localization and assess keratinocyte proliferation.
- Western blotting was employed to analyze the expression of alkaline phosphatase and lymphoid enhancer factor 1 in DP cells.
Main Results:
- Lysozyme was primarily localized in the DP and dermal sheath regions of VFs.
- Lysozyme treatment (5-10μg/ml) significantly promoted hair shaft production and matrix keratinocyte proliferation.
- Lysozyme increased alkaline phosphatase and lymphoid enhancer factor 1 levels in DP cells, indicating enhanced hair-inductive capacity.
Conclusions:
- Lysozyme is identified within key hair follicle structures, specifically the DP and dermal sheath.
- Lysozyme acts as a potent promoter of vibrissae follicle growth.
- The findings suggest lysozyme enhances hair growth by boosting the inductive capabilities of DP cells.
