Herediatary Hair Diseases

Mammalian hair follicle (HF) is a complex structure which consists of several distinct cell layers. The HF is an ectodermal appendage that resides the skin, and unlike other tissues and organs, it possesses the remarkable ability of self renewal and undergoes a hair cycle throughout life. Recent advances in molecular genetics have enabled the identification of numerous genes that are involved in HF morphogenesis and cycling. Furthermore, we and others have recently reported that mutations in some of these genes are associated with hereditary hair diseases in humans, such as autosomal recessive woolly hair and autosomal dominant hypotrichosis simplex. Identification of causative genes for hair diseases strongly and directly suggests crucial roles of these genes in HF morphogenesis, development, and hair growth in humans