Expression of galectin-1 and -3 and of accessible binding sites during murine hair cycle

Although protein-carbohydrate interactions are supposed to play key roles in cell adhesion, signalling and growth control. Their exact role in skin physiology has only recently been investigated. The endogenous lectins galectin-1 and galectin-3 have been identified in skin including hair follicles. Here, we analyzed the expression and distribution of these galectins and their binding sites in C57BL/6 mice during hair cycle. The expression of galectin-1 and galectin-3 binding sites was found to be predominantly hair cycle-dependent showing some overlapping to the expression of galectin-1 and -3. The outer root sheath (ORS) expressed galectin-1 binding sites during anagen IV to VI and in early catagen, whereas galectin-1 was expressed from early anagen to late catagen. The ORS expressed galectin-3 binding sites during catagen transition corresponding to a galectin-3 expression during anagen V and catagen. The innermost layer of the ORS expressed galectin-3 binding sites during anagen VI until catagen VIII, but galectin-3 during anagen III to IV and catagen. The inner root sheath (IRS) expressed galectin-3 binding sites only in anagen IV but missed expression of any of the two galectins. The matrix cells expressed galectin-3 binding sites in catagen II-III as well as galectin-3 during anagen V to catagen IV. The present study provides the first evidence for a cycle-related expression of both galectin-1 and -3 and their binding sites during murine hair cycle.     

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) is a positive regulator of outer root sheath keratinocyte proliferation

Urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA), a serine proteinase, is important in the development and epidermal wound healing, and seems to play a regulatory role in the proliferation of mouse epidermal keratinocytes (KC). In the present study, we found detectable uPA expression in outer root sheath (ORS) KC in the early anagen phase in mouse vibrissa follicles, but not in the late anagen or in the telogen and categen phases. uPA was also detected in ORS KC cultured from neonatal mice vibrissa. Specific exogenous inhibitors of uPA, amiloride and uPA antibody, significantly reduced the proliferation of ORS KC. Thus uPA is consistently elevated in the hyperproliferative hair follicle KC, and inhibition of the enzyme decreases hair follicle KC proliferation. We deduce that uPA is a very important mediator of the hair follicle cycle because its activity correlates with ORS KC proliferation.     

Manipulation of outer root sheath cell survival perturbs the hair-growth cycle.

Transgenic mice that overexpress the anti-apoptotic gene bcl-xL under the control of the keratin 14 promoter have significantly shorter hair than non-transgenic littermates. The deficit in hair length correlated with a decrease in the duration of anagen, the growth phase of the hair cycle. A prolongation in telogen, the resting phase of the hair cycle, was also observed in adult animals. In the developing hair bulb, bcl-xL transgene expression was observed exclusively in the outer root sheath (ORS) cells. Bcl-xL expression enhanced the survival of ORS cells treated with apoptotic stimuli. The results suggest that preventing the apoptotic death of ORS cells during anagen leads to a more rapid termination of progenitor cell commitment/proliferation, while the increased survival of ORS cells during telogen delays the initiation of a new hair cycle. ORS cells produce fibroblast growth factor-5 (FGF-5), which acts in a paracrine fashion to terminate precursor cell division during anagen. The short hair phenotype of bcl-xL transgenic mice was substantially reversed in FGF-5-deficient mice. Thus, the production of growth inhibitory factors by ORS cells may provide a mechanism through which the hair-growth cycle is regulated by cell survival.     

Keratinocyte-Targeted Expression of Human Laminin γ2 Rescues Skin Blistering and Early Lethality of Laminin γ2 Deficient Mice

Laminin-332 is a heterotrimeric basement membrane component comprised of the α3, ß3, and γ2 laminin chains. Laminin-332 modulates epithelial cell processes, such as adhesion, migration, and differentiation and is prominent in many embryonic and adult tissues. In skin, laminin-332 is secreted by keratinocytes and is a key component of hemidesmosomes connecting the keratinocytes to the underlying dermis. In mice, lack of expression of any of the three Laminin-332 chains result in impaired anchorage and detachment of the epidermis, similar to that seen in human junctional epidermolysis bullosa, and death occurs within a few days after birth. To bypass the early lethality of laminin-332 deficiency caused by the knockout of the mouse laminin γ2 chain, we expressed a dox-controllable human laminin γ2 transgene under a keratinocyte-specific promoter on the laminin γ2 (Lamc2) knockout background. These mice appear similar to their wild-type littermates, do not develop skin blisters, are fertile, and survive >1.5 years. Immunofluorescence analyses of the skin showed that human laminin γ2 colocalized with mouse laminin α3 and ß3 in the basement membrane zone underlying the epidermis. Furthermore, the presence of “humanized” laminin-332 in the epidermal basement membrane zone rescued the alterations in the deposition of hemidesmosomal components, such as plectin, collagen type XVII/BP180, and integrin α6 and ß4 chains, seen in conventional Lamc2 knockout mice, leading to restored formation of hemidesmosomes. These mice will be a valuable tool for studies of organs deficient in laminin-332 and the role of laminin-332 in skin, including wound healing.     

Hair cycle dynamics: the case of the human hair follicle

The existence of a growth and regeneration cycle makes the hair follicle a true paradigm of tissue homeostasis. Analysis of about 9000 cycles led us to propose a stochastic model of human hair dynamics. The existence of hair cycles implies that stem cells must be cyclically activated and hair melanin unit has to be renewed. Using different markers, we were able to identify two distinct epithelial stem cell reservoirs, located in the upper and lower thirds of the anagen hair follicle outer root sheath. These two reservoirs fuse during the regression phase and individualize again in the new forming anagen hair follicle. Using a set of antibodies specific of melanocyte lineage and melanogenesis, pigmentation unit turnover was followed throughout the entire hair cycle. In the terminal anagen hair, active melanocytes were localized on top of the dermal papilla, while amelanotic melanocytes were identified in the upper third of the outer root sheath (ORS). Those amelanotic melanocytes located in upper ORS probably represented a melanocyte reservoir for successive hair generation, since at the induction of anagen phase, some melanocytes were committed to cell division and melanogenesis was turned on, but only in the nascent hair bulb, close to the dermal papilla.     

Expression of E6 and E7 papillomavirus oncogenes in the outer root sheath of hair follicles extends the growth phase and bypasses resting at telogen.

Hair follicle growth cycle proceeds through a series of stages in which strict control of cell proliferation, differentiation, and cell death occurs. Transgenic mice expressing human papillomavirus type 16 E6/E7 papillomavirus oncogenes in the outer root sheath (ORS) display a fur phenotype characterized by lower hair density and the ability to regenerate hair much faster than wild-type mice. Regenerating hair follicles of transgenic mice show a longer growth phase (anagen), and although bulb regression (catagen) occurs, rest at telogen was not observed. No abnormalities were detected during the first cycle of hair follicle growth, but by the second cycle, initiation of catagen was delayed, and rest at telogen was again not attained, even in the presence of estradiol, a telogen resting signal. In conclusion, expression of E6/E7 in the ORS delays entrance to catagen and makes cells of the ORS insensitive to telogen resting signals bearing to a continuous hair follicle cycling in transgenic mice.     

Melanoma cells produce multiple laminin isoforms and strongly migrate on α5 laminin(s) via several integrin receptors

Melanoma cells express and interact with laminins (LMs) and other basement membrane components during invasion and metastasis. In the present study we have investigated the production and migration-promoting activity of laminin isoforms in melanoma. Immunohistochemistry of melanoma specimens and immunoprecipitation/western blotting of melanoma cell lines indicated expression of laminin-111/121, laminin-211, laminin-411/421, and laminin-511/521. Laminin-332 was not detected. In functional assays, laminin-111, laminin-332, and laminin-511, but not laminin-211 and laminin-411, strongly promoted haptotactic cell migration either constitutively or following stimulation with insulin-like growth factors. Both placenta and recombinant laminin-511 preparations were highly active, and the isolated recombinant IVa domain of LMα5 also promoted cell migration. Function-blocking antibodies in cell migration assays revealed α6β1 integrin as the major receptor for laminin-111, and both α3β1 and α6β1 integrins for laminin-332 and laminin-511. In contrast, isolated LMα5 IVa domain-promoted melanoma cell migration was largely mediated via αVβ3 integrin and inhibited by RGD peptides. Given the ubiquitous expression of α5 laminins in melanoma cells and in melanoma-target tissues/anatomical structures, as well as the strong migration-promoting activity of these laminin isoforms, the α5 laminins emerge as putative primary extracellular matrix mediators of melanoma invasion and metastasis via α3β1 and other integrin receptors.     

Involucrin, but not filaggrin and Kdap mRNA, expression is downregulated in 3-D cultures of intact rat hair bulbs after calcium stimulation

The hair follicle consists of several distinctive epidermal cell layers. The hair root, which undergoes keratinization, is surrounded by two sheaths: the inner root sheath (IRS) and the outer root sheath (ORS). The ORS is continuous with the basal layer of the epidermis. Its cells do not keratinize in situ, unlike IRS. We have previously demonstrated that keratinization of the ORS was prevented by contact with the IRS in hair follicle mid-segments (i.e. fragments dissected from skin at the level above the hair bulb and below the opening of the sebaceous gland duct) cultured on agarose layer. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the same applies to the hair bulb. After isolation, intact bulbs or hair bulb-derived cells were incubated in suspension in a low or high calcium medium. The level of mRNA for differentiation markers: involucrin, filaggrin, keratinocyte differentiation associated protein and trichohyalin, was studied by RealTime PCR. We observed increased Ca(2+) upregulated expression of involucrin, filaggrin, trichohyalin and Kdap in cultures of bulb-derived cells, but in hair bulbs downregulation of involucrin and trichohyalin was observed. We concluded that the inner root sheath exerts an inhibitory effect on the expression of involucrin and trichohyalin already in the hair bulbs. The observation that downregulation of involucrin expression under Ca(2+) influence occurs both in hair bulb and midsegments could simplify future experiments, since their separation does not seem to be necessary.     

Establishment and characterization of outer root sheath (ORS) cell line from Jining grey goat

A new line of outer root sheath (ORS) cells was established from hair follicles of Jining grey goat by using a mechanical separation combined with enzyme digestion. Cell morphology is described at different phases. The chromosome analysis of ORS cells, identification of the ORS cells and morphological reversion test were detected at the 4th and 40th passages. The ORS cells were healthy and the growth characteristics were stable with a population doubling time of 52 h. Chromosome analysis showed that >58% of cells were diploid. Test for ORS cell line CK19 expression was positive. This newly established ORS cell line not only lays the foundation for further studying on the growth, regeneration, development law of goat hair follicle but also provides a mirror for the research of human hair in medical field.     

Expression of basement membrane components through morphological changes in the hair growth cycle

The amount and distribution of fibronectin associated with hair follicles was found to vary during the hair growth cycle in the rat. Immunocytochemical staining of follicles in mid-late anagen (the growth stage) revealed the presence of fibronectin in the dermal papilla matrix, in the basement membrane separating this from the epithelial cells of the hair bulb, and in the basement membrane and connective tissue sheath which underly the cells of the outer root sheath. Early in catagen, the transitional stage, staining of the dermal papilla matrix disappeared. Fibronectin persisted in the basement membrane and connective tissue sheath, which undergo corrugation and apparent thickening in catagen. After follicle shortening, the telogen (resting) stage is reached, at which point fibronectin staining was found to be minimal, being restricted to the basement membrane around the secondary germ. The onset of anagen, involving cell division and follicle elongation, was associated with a great increase in the amount of fibronectin in this zone and in and around the dermal papilla. Analysis of entry into anagen by [3H]thymidine incorporation and autoradiography revealed that growth could be detected before the increase in fibronectin expression. However, growing cells, even in a suprabasal position, always had some fibronectin at their surface. Immunoelectron microscopy of early anagen follicles confirmed the light microscopic findings and also showed that fibronectin was present in small vesicles close to the surface of dermal papilla and some epithelial cells. Increased deposition of laminin and type IV collagen in early anagen follicles was also noted, emphasizing the importance of basement membrane components during morphogenetic events in vivo.     

Expression of prostaglandin E(2) receptor subtypes in mouse hair follicles.

We investigated the mRNA distribution of the prostaglandin (PG) E(2) receptor subtypes and cyclooxygenases (COXs) in hair follicles of the mouse dorsal skin. In the 3-week hair follicles, which are in the anagen phase, EP3 and EP4 mRNA were expressed in the dermal papilla cells and the outer root sheath cells located in the hair bulb region, respectively. In the 8-week hair follicles, which are in the telogen phase, the signals for both EP3 and EP4 mRNAs had disappeared. To study the hair cycle-dependent expression of mRNAs for the EPs and COXs, an area of dorsal hair was depilated from 8-week-old mice. On days 8 and 12 after depilation, EP3 and EP4 mRNA were reexpressed in the dermal papilla cells and the outer root sheath cells, and the induction of COX-2 mRNA was also observed in the outer root sheath cells, the upper area of EP4 expression site. These results suggest that EP3 and EP4 receptors may involve in the development and regrowth of the hair follicles.     

小鼠毛囊不同生长周期中MITF下游色素相关基因的定位表达及相关性分析

小眼畸形转录因子（MITF）不仅是黑色素细胞发育、增殖和存活的必要调节因子,而且对调节相关酶和黑素体蛋白表达来确保黑色素产生具有至关重要的作用。MITF下游色素相关基因在小鼠毛囊生长周期中的表达及相关性仍有待研究。HE染色结果表明不同毛囊时期的小鼠毛囊呈现典型的组织形态学结构;免疫组织化学显示,MITF、GPNMB、OA1、TYR、TYRP2在不同毛囊生长周期中的毛基质及内外毛根鞘均有不同程度的阳性表达。黑色素测定结果表明,在毛囊生长初期和中期,碱性可溶性总黑色素（ASM）、真黑素（EM）以及褐黑素（PM）相对含量高于毛囊生长末期。蛋白免疫印迹结果表明,MITF、GPNMB、OA1、TYR、TYRP2在毛囊生长初期和中期蛋白质相对水平明显高于毛囊生长末期。实时荧光定量PCR结果表明, MITF、GPNMB、OA1、TYR、TYRP2、PMEL在毛囊生长初期和中期,mRNA相对表达量显著高于毛囊生长末期。在不同毛囊生长周期小鼠皮肤的MITF下游色素相关基因表达存在显著差异,表明上述因子在维持黑色素细胞色素生成是不可或缺的因素。     

The beta3 chain short arm of laminin-332 (laminin-5) induces matrix assembly and cell adhesion activity of laminin-511 (laminin-10)

The basement membrane (BM) protein laminin-332 (Lm332) (laminin-5) has unique activity and structure as compared with other laminins: it strongly promotes cellular adhesion and migration, and its alpha3, beta3, and gamma2 chains are all truncated in their N-terminal regions (short arms). In the present study, we investigated the biological function of the laminin beta3 chain. When the beta3 chain short arm (beta3SA) was overexpressed in HEK293 cells (beta3SA-HEK), they deposited a large amount of beta3SA and a small amount of laminin-511 (Lm511) (laminin-10) on culture plates. Control HEK293 cells secreted Lm511 but failed to deposit it. The extracellular matrix (ECM) deposited by beta3SA-HEK cells strongly promoted cell attachment and spreading. The beta3SA-HEK ECM did not directly bind Lm511, but it stimulated control HEK293 cells to deposit Lm511 on the culture plates. Although purified beta3SA did not support cell adhesion by itself, it enhanced the cell adhesion activity of Lm511. Experiments with anti-integrin antibodies also suggested that the strong cell adhesion activity of the beta3SA-HEK ECM was derived from the synergistic action of beta3SA and Lm511. It has previously been found that beta3SA binds an unknown cell surface receptor. Taken together, the present study suggests that the short arm of the laminin beta3 chain enhances the matrix assembly of Lm511 and its cell adhesion activity by interacting with its receptor.     

IGF1和IGF1R在小鼠第一个毛囊生长周期皮肤的表达

毛囊生长周期中,真皮乳头和毛基质间的基质 上皮信号调控细胞的增殖和分化。多功能细胞调控因子胰岛素样生长因子1（IGF1)是该信号路径的成员之一。第1个毛囊生长周期决定着毛囊的正常生长和发育,但IGF1在此期的作用未见报道。实时荧光定量PCR结果显示,IGF1在生长期皮肤中的相对表达量最低,在退化期表达量最高,在静止期表达量又降低。与生长初期相比,IGF1在退化期和静止期的表达量呈差异极显著（P＜0.01）;胰岛素样生长因子1受体（IGF1R）在生长期皮肤中的相对表达量最高,在退化期表达量最低,而在静止期表达量又升高。与生长初期相比,IGF1R在退化期和静止期的表达量呈差异极显著（P＜0.01）。Western 印迹结果显示,IGF1和IGF1R蛋白在小鼠皮肤第1个毛囊生长周期各阶段的表达趋势分别与其mRNA的表达趋势一致;免疫组织化学结果表明,IGF1主要分布在小鼠表皮,而IGF1R免疫阳性在小鼠毛囊毛球部、内外根鞘和毛乳头均有分布。以上实验结果揭示,IGF1和IGF1R在小鼠皮肤第1个毛囊生长周期的各阶段的差异性表达,可能在毛囊生长周期各阶段的转化过程中参与了黑色素的形成。然而,IGF1和IGF1R表达趋势不一致,提示IGF1在小鼠皮肤中发挥作用时,并非只与IGF1R结合才能发挥作用。     

常见毛囊细胞角蛋白在毛囊周期中的表达研究

目的探讨常见毛囊细胞角蛋白在毛囊周期中的表达特征。 方法取毛囊发育期、生长期启动、生长期、退化期和静止期的小鼠皮肤,石蜡切片后通过免疫荧光的方法,检测细胞角蛋白Krt5、Krt6、Krt10、Krt14、Krt15和Krt19的表达情况。 结果Krt5在静止期和生长期启动表达于所有毛囊上皮细胞,在其他时期表达不一致;Krt6表达于所有时期的外根鞘细胞和内根鞘细胞;Krt10表达于生长期和退化期的毛母质和内根鞘细胞,在其他时期表达不一致;Krt14在生长期和退化期表达于所有毛囊上皮细胞,在其他时期表达不一致;Krt15和Krt19表达于毛囊发育期、生长期启动和静止期的毛囊隆突区细胞,在生长期和退化期表达不一致。 结论角蛋白作为毛囊结构或毛囊干细胞标记物仅适用于特定的毛囊周期。研究者在使用毛囊角蛋白作为标记物时,应首先明确其在毛囊周期中的表达情况。     

Integrin beta4 regulates migratory behavior of keratinocytes by determining laminin-332 organization

Whether alpha6beta4 integrin regulates migration remains controversial. beta4 integrin-deficient (JEB) keratinocytes display aberrant migration in that they move in circles, a behavior that mirrors the circular arrays of laminin (LM)-332 in their matrix. In contrast, wild-type keratinocytes and JEB keratinocytes, induced to express beta4 integrin, assemble laminin-332 in linear tracks over which they migrate. Moreover, laminin-332-dependent migration of JEB keratinocytes along linear tracks is restored when cells are plated on wild-type keratinocyte matrix, whereas wild-type keratinocytes show rotation over circular arrays of laminn-332 in JEB keratinocyte matrix. The activities of Rac1 and the actin cytoskeleton-severing protein cofilin are low in JEB keratinocytes compared with wild-type cells but are rescued following expression of wild-type beta4 integrin in JEB cells. Additionally, in wild-type keratinocytes Rac1 is complexed with alpha6beta4 integrin. Moreover, Rac1 or cofilin inactivation induces wild-type keratinocytes to move in circles over rings of laminin-332 in their matrix. Together these data indicate that laminin-332 matrix organization is determined by the alpha6beta4 integrin/actin cytoskeleton via Rac1/cofilin signaling. Furthermore, our results imply that the organizational state of laminin-332 is a key determinant of the motility behavior of keratinocytes, an essential element of skin wound healing and the successful invasion of epidermal-derived tumor cells.     

Ligand-binding specificities of laminin-binding integrins: a comprehensive survey of laminin-integrin interactions using recombinant alpha3beta1, alpha6beta1, alpha7beta1 and alpha6beta4 integrins.

The interactions of cells with basement membranes are primarily mediated via the engagement of laminins by a group of integrin family proteins, including integrins alpha3beta1, alpha6beta1, alpha7beta1 and alpha6beta4. To explore the ligand-binding specificities of these laminin-binding integrins, we produced these integrins, including two alpha7beta1 splice variants (alpha7X1beta1 and alpha7X2beta1), as soluble recombinant proteins and determined their binding specificities and affinities toward a panel of purified laminin isoforms containing distinct alpha chains. Among the five laminin-binding integrins investigated, alpha3beta1 and alpha6beta4 exhibited a clear specificity for laminin-332 (alpha3beta3gamma2) and laminin-511 (alpha5beta1gamma1)/521 (alpha5beta2gamma1), while integrin alpha6beta1 showed a broad specificity, binding to all laminin isoforms with a preference for laminin-111 (alpha1beta1gamma1), laminin-332 and laminin-511/521. The two alpha7beta1 variants were distinct from alpha3beta1, alpha6beta1 and alpha6beta4 in that they did not bind to laminin-332. alpha7X1beta1 bound to all laminins, except laminin-332, with a preference for laminin-211 (alpha2beta1gamma1)/221 (alpha2beta2gamma1) and laminin-511/521, while alpha7X2beta1 bound preferentially to laminin-111 and laminin-211/221. Laminin-511/521 was the most preferred ligand for all the laminin-binding integrins, except for alpha7X2beta1, whereas laminin-411 was the poorest ligand, capable of binding to alpha6beta1 and alpha7X1beta1 with only modest binding affinities. These comprehensive analyses of the interactions between laminin-binding integrins and a panel of laminins clearly demonstrate that the isoforms of both integrins and laminins differ in their binding specificities and affinities, and provide a molecular basis for better understanding of the adhesive interactions of cells with basement membranes of defined laminin compositions.     

ILK modulates epithelial polarity and matrix formation in hair follicles

Hair follicle morphogenesis requires coordination of multiple signals and communication between its epithelial and mesenchymal constituents. Cell adhesion protein platforms, which include integrins and integrin-linked kinase (ILK), are critical for hair follicle formation. However, their precise contribution to this process is poorly understood. We show that in the absence of ILK, the hair follicle matrix lineage fails to develop, likely due to abnormalities in development of apical–basal cell polarity, as well as in laminin-511 and basement membrane assembly at the tip of the hair bud. These defects also result in impaired specification of hair matrix and absence of precortex and inner sheath root cell lineages. The molecular pathways affected in ILK-deficient follicles are similar to those in the absence of epidermal integrin β1 and include Wnt, but not sonic hedgehog, signaling. ILK-deficient hair buds also show abnormalities in the dermal papilla. Addition of exogenous laminin-511 restores morphological and molecular markers associated with hair matrix formation, indicating that ILK regulates hair bud cell polarity and functions upstream from laminin-511 assembly to regulate the developmental progression of hair follicles beyond the germ stage.     

Isolation of a hemidesmosome-rich fraction from a human squamous cell carcinoma cell line

Hemidesmosomes are cell-to-matrix adhesion complexes anchoring keratinocytes to basement membranes. For the first time, we present a method to prepare a fraction from human cultured cells that are highly enriched in hemidesmosomal proteins. Using DJM-1 cells derived from human squamous cell carcinoma, accumulation of hemidesmosomes was observed when these cells were cultured for more than 10 days in a commercial serum-free medium without supplemental calcium. Electron microscopy demonstrated that numerous electron-dense adhesion structures were present along the basal cell membranes of DJM-1 cells cultured under the aforementioned conditions. After removing cellular materials using an ammonia solution, hemidesmosomal proteins and deposited extracellular matrix were collected and separated by electrophoresis. There were eight major polypeptides, which were determined to be plectin, BP230, BP180, integrin α6 and β4 subunits, and laminin-332 by immunoblotting and mass spectrometry. Therefore, we designated this preparation as a hemidesmosome-rich fraction. This fraction contained laminin-332 exclusively in its unprocessed form, which may account for the promotion of laminin deposition, and minimal amounts of Lutheran blood group protein, a nonhemidesmosomal transmembrane protein. This hemidesmosome-rich fraction would be useful not only for biological research on hemidesmosomes but also for developing a serum test for patients with blistering skin diseases.     

A histological study on the skin and hairs of PC (poor coat) mice

Light microscopic examinations were done on the skin and hairs of PC (poor coat) mice, maintained as an inbred strain at the National Institute of Health, Japan. The structures of the epidermis, dermis, hair root sheath and the sebaceous glands were normal. Hair bulbs and hair papillae were poorly developed at anagen stage of hair cycle. Having scanty medulla, the hairs were thin and short. The hair cuticle appeared normal. These findings suggest that the defective hair growth in PC mice is caused by deficiencies in cell differentiation and/or proliferation in the hair matrix.