London, April 19 (Inditop.com) Scientists have identified a gene that leads to increased hair growth, says a new study.
The research was led by Leif Carlsson and his team at Umeå University, Sweden.
Hair is important for temperature regulation, physical protection, sensory activity, seasonal camouflage and social interactions. Hair is formed in hair follicles, which are complex mini-organs in the skin that are specialised for this purpose.
All hair follicles are formed during foetal development, then new hair is generated in the hair follicle by continually undergoing phases of recession, rest, and growth throughout life.
The length of the hair is determined by the duration of the growth phase; for example, the growth phase for scalp hair can proceed for a number of years, while the growth phase for eyebrows lasts a few months.
After the growth phase, hair formation ceases, and the follicle recedes and enters a period of rest. After a period of rest, a new growth period starts, and the old hair is ejected and lost from the body.
The reason for this complex regulation of hair growth is not understood, but it has been suggested that it makes it possible to adjust hair growth to the season.
In the present study, Carlsson’s research team identifies the transcription factor Lhx2 as an important regulator of hair formation.
The Lhx2 gene is active during the hair follicle’s growth phase and is turned off during the resting period.
The scientists have been able to show that Lhx2 is functionally involved in the formation of hair, as hair follicles in which Lhx2 has been inactivated cannot produce hair.
Moreover, the activation of the Lhx2 gene in hair follicles has been shown to activate the growth phase and hence the formation of hair. Thus, Lhx2 is a gene that is important for the regulation of hair growth, said an Umeå University release.
The Umeå researchers have also shown that Lhx2 is necessary for the hair follicle’s growth (anagen) phase to proceed and for the hair follicle’s structuring.
These findings were published in the latest web edition of PLoS Genetics.
