title: Morphogenetic mechanisms in the cyclic regeneration of hair follicles and deer antlers from stem cells.
abstract: We have made comparisons between hair follicles (HFs) and antler units (AUs)--two seemingly unrelated mammalian organs. HFs are tiny and concealed within skin, whereas AUs are gigantic and grown externally for visual display. However, these two organs share some striking similarities. Both consist of permanent and cyclic/temporary components and undergo stem-cell-based organogenesis and cyclic regeneration. Stem cells of both organs reside in the permanent part and the growth centres are located in the temporary part of each respective organ. Organogenesis and regeneration of both organs depend on epithelial-mesenchymal interactions. Establishment of these interactions requires stem cells and reactive/niche cells (dermal papilla cells for HFs and epidermal cells for AUs) to be juxtaposed, which is achieved through destruction of the cyclic part to bring the reactive cells into close proximity to the respective stem cell niche. Developments of HFs and AUs are regulated by similar endocrine (particularly testosterone) and paracrine (particularly IGF1) factors. Interestingly, these two organs come to interplay during antlerogenesis. In conclusion, we believe that investigators from the fields of both HF and AU biology could greatly benefit from a comprehensive comparison between these two organs.
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Invermay Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 50034, Mosgiel 9053, New Zealand ; State Key Laboratory for Molecular Biology of Special Economic Animals, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changchun, Jilin 130112, China.
authors.forename: Chunyi
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Ruakura Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.affiliation: AgResearch Ruakura Agricultural Centre, Private Bag 3123, Hamilton 3240, New Zealand.
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: McMahon
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000999:Antlers / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003670:Deer / Q000502:physiology*; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D012038:Regeneration / Q000502:physiology*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*