title: Evaluation of Gene Expression Patterns in Micrografts Demonstrate Induction of Catagen-Like Processes During Storage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alterations of gene expression patterns may contribute to the commonly observed transient reduction of hair shaft elongation in hair restoration surgery.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To elucidate the molecular causes, we evaluated changes in gene expression patterns in hair follicle micrografts during storage.
  
  
  METHODS
  Micrografts with different amounts of adjacent connective tissue (regular, skinny, and chubby) were stored for different periods, and the expression of key genes was determined: dermal papilla (DP): FGF7, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), versican; outer root sheath: Krt15; inner root sheath: Krt 25; cuticula: Krt85; Henle layer: filaggrin; genes related to apoptosis and growth/differentiation: Caspase 3, Ovol1, and Foxo1.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A significant decrease in FGF7 (4 × 10 fold) was observed after 4 hours, with further decrease after 48 hours. A significant decrease of versican (0.35 fold) and ALP (0.004 fold) was observed after 24 hours of storage. No differences relating to adjacent connective tissue were observed. No changes of different keratins genes or genes related to growth/differentiation and apoptosis were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data clearly demonstrate a reduction in the specific function of cells in the DP, which seem to be the causative for the induction of hair follicle cycling during micrograft preparation and storage.
authors.affiliation: *All authors are affiliated with the Department for Hair Research, Moser Medical Group, Clinic Vienna, Austria.
authors.forename: Walter
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Krugluger
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stiefsohn
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Moser
authors.forename: Katarina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Laciak
mesh_terms: D017209:Apoptosis; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000502:physiology; D000091344:Filaggrin Proteins; D015870:Gene Expression; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000166:cytology* / Q000637:transplantation*; D006801:Humans; D012867:Skin / Q000166:cytology; D013048:Specimen Handling