Actin bundles in human hair follicles as revealed by confocal laser microscopy

Cell and Tissue Research
M Furumura, H Ishikawa

Abstract

A confocal laser microscope was used to examine the distribution pattern of actin bundles in whole-mounts of human hair follicles stained with fluorescently labeled phalloidin. Actin bundles were found exclusively in the epithelial outer root sheath of the lower and middle portions of the follicle. In the growth stage, the lower follicle was characterized by well-developed actin bundles arranged circumferentially in the innermost and outermost cell layers of the outer root sheath. Actin bundles in the innermost cells were aligned end-to-end so that they formed complete circular bands surrounding the inner root sheath. In the outermost cells, actin bundles ran underneath the basal plasma membrane to which they attached at both ends. In contrast, in the quiescent stage, actin bundles in the lower follicle were disposed radially toward the follicle surface where they terminated perpendicular to the basal plasma membrane. In the middle follicle, circumferential actin bundles were found only in the intermediate layer of the outer root sheath throughout the hair cycle. Immunofluorescent anti-myosin and anti-alpha-actinin staining showed a striated pattern along actin bundles. Vinculin was localized at both ends of actin bundles, corr...Continue Reading

Citations

Apr 13, 2006·Histochemistry and Cell Biology·Ulrich MieheBerthold Huppertz
Jan 24, 2007·Neuroscience Research·Yan-Chao LiTsutomu Hashikawa
Jun 21, 2018·Journal of Cellular Physiology·Abhishak C GuptaSourabh Ghosh
Feb 9, 2018·Scientific Reports·Santanu BiswasKrishnakumar Devadas
Aug 6, 2021·Experimental Dermatology·Sailakshmi VelamoorDuane Harland

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