NF-κB Participates in Mouse Hair Cycle Control and Plays Distinct Roles in the Various Pelage Hair Follicle Types

Karsten Krieger, Sarah E. Millar, Nadine Mikuda, Inge Krahn, Jennifer E. Kloepper, Marta Bertolini, Claus Scheidereit, Ralf Paus, Ruth Schmidt-Ullrich*

*Corresponding author for this work
12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The transcription factor NF-κB controls key features of hair follicle (HF) development, but the role of NF-κB in adult HF cycle regulation remains obscure. Using NF-κB reporter mouse models, strong NF-κB activity was detected in the secondary hair germ of late telogen and early anagen HFs, suggesting a potential role for NF-κB in HF stem/progenitor cell activation during anagen induction. At mid-anagen, NF-κB activity was observed in the inner root sheath and unilaterally clustered in the HF matrix, which indicates that NF-κB activity is also involved in hair fiber morphogenesis during HF cycling. A mouse model with inducible NF-κB suppression in the epithelium revealed pelage hair-type−dependent functions of NF-κB in cycling HFs. NF-κB participates in telogen−anagen transition in awl and zigzag HFs, and is required for zigzag hair bending and guard HF cycling. Interestingly, zigzag hair shaft bending depends on noncanonical NF-κB signaling, which previously has only been associated with lymphoid cell biology. Furthermore, loss of guard HF cycling suggests that in this particular hair type, NF-κB is indispensable for stem cell activation, maintenance, and/or growth.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Investigative Dermatology
Volume138
Issue number2
Pages (from-to)256-264
Number of pages9
ISSN0022-202X
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 02.2018

Research Areas and Centers

  • Academic Focus: Center for Infection and Inflammation Research (ZIEL)

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