Elements of the interleukin-1 signaling system show hair cycle-dependent gene expression in murine skin.
Stringently controlled changes in the local, cytokine-mediated signaling milieu of hair follicles (HF) have been implicated as major elements of hair cycle control and several lines of clinical and experimental evidence point towards interleukin-1 (IL-1) as an important inducer of hair loss. To address the question as to whether the steady state mRNA levels of the gene expression of the IL-1 family parallel distinct phases of the murine hair cycle, we have exploited the high degree of synchrony during depilation-induced HF cycling in mice, and have determined the mRNA levels of IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1-receptor antagonist, IL-1 receptor (R)-I and IL-1-R-II by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Our results indicate that the induced murine hair cycle is associated with profound fluctuations in the steady state mRNA levels of members of the IL-1 signaling system. Most interestingly, IL-1alpha and IL-1beta transcript levels increased dramatically with the onset of spontaneous catagen (around day 18) and peaked during telogen (day 25). These fluctuations in the IL-1alpha and IL-1beta transcript levels were paralleled by substantial expression changes of the corresponding signal transducing type I IL-1 receptor. Therefore, our findings are consistent with the concept that IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, IL-1-RI and IL-1-RII are involved in the control of catagen development.
Hoffmann
R
R
Department of Dermatology, Philipp University, Deutschhausstrasse 9, D-35033, Marburg, Germany. rolf.hoffmann@mailer.uni-marburg.de
Happle
R
R
Paus
R
R
D000818:Animals; D001483:Base Sequence; D002453:Cell Cycle; D046508:Culture Techniques; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D005260:Female; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000502:physiology*; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D007375:Interleukin-1; D012333:RNA, Messenger