Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 9, 2026

Spatial and Temporal Control of Murine Melanoma Initiation from Mutant Melanocyte Stem Cells
Published on: June 7, 2019
Exosomal miR-199a-3p From Dermal Papilla Cells Regulates Hair Follicle Pigmentation by Targeting POU2F1 in
Anqi Yang1, Tingting Lu1, Sen Wang1
1College of Animal Science and Technology, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, Jiangsu, P. R. China.
None:
To elucidate the paracrine regulatory mechanism of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) on melanocyte (MC) melanogenesis, we focused on exosomal miR-199a-3p as a key mediator. DPCs, MCs, and DPC-Exos were identified by immunofluorescence, Western blot (WB), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Functional assays showed DPC-Exos were internalized by MCs, enhanced proliferation, decreased apoptosis, and elevated melanin production. miRNA sequencing identified miR-199a-3p as the key exosomal cargo, which was localized to hair follicle bulbs by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Transwell co-culture and Cy3-tracing revealed intercellular transfer. Dual-luciferase assays confirmed miR-199a-3p directly targets the 3'UTR of POU2F1. Additionally, exosomal miR-199a-3p promoted the growth of ex vivo hair follicles and significantly regulated the expression of melanogenesis-related genes in hair follicles. Gain-of-function experiments demonstrated that DPC-Exos transfected with miR-199a-3p mimics suppressed POU2F1, effectively reversing its anti-melanogenic activity. This study elucidates an exosome-mediated DPC-MC regulatory axis centered on miR-199a-3p/POU2F1, providing novel therapeutic targets for pigmentation disorders and advancing animal coat color modulation strategies.
Related Concept Videos
Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
Pleiotropy
Abnormal Proliferation
Papillary Dermis
The dermis might be considered the "core" of the integumentary system, as distinct from the epidermis and hypodermis. It contains blood and lymph vessels, nerves, and other structures, such as hair follicles and sweat glands. The dermis is made of two layers of connective tissue that comprise an interconnected mesh of elastin and collagenous fibers, produced by fibroblasts.
Papillary Layer
The papillary layer is made of loose, areolar connective tissue, which means the collagen...

