Abnormal hair development and apparent follicular transformation to mammary gland in the absence of hedgehog signaling

A Gritli-Linde, K Hallberg, B D Harfe, A Reyahi, M Kannius-Janson, J Nilsson, M T Cobourne, P T Sharpe, A P McMahon, A Linde

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

85 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

We show that removing the Shh signal tranducer Smoothened from skin epithelium secondarily results in excess Shh levels in the mesenchyme. Moreover, the phenotypes we observe reflect decreased epithelial Shh signaling, yet increased mesenchymal Shh signaling. For example, the latter contributes to exuberant hair follicle (HF) induction, while the former depletes the resulting follicular stem cell niches. This disruption of the niche apparently also allows the remaining stem cells to initiate hair formation at inappropriate times. Thus, the temporal structure of the hair cycle may depend on the physical structure of the niche. Finally, we find that the ablation of epithelial Shh signaling results in unexpected transformations: the follicular outer root sheath takes on an epidermal character, and certain HFs disappear altogether, having adopted a strikingly mammary gland-like fate. Overall, our study uncovers a multifaceted function for Shh in sculpting and maintaining the integrity and identity of the developing HF.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)99 - 112
Number of pages14
JournalDevelopmental Cell
Volume12
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2007

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Abnormal hair development and apparent follicular transformation to mammary gland in the absence of hedgehog signaling'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this