The pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, and adrenocorticotropic hormone, are important mediators of human skin pigmentation via action at the melanocortin-1 receptor. Recent data suggests that such a regulatory role also exists for the endogenous opiate, β-endorphin (β-END). A role for this β-END in the regulation of follicular pigmentation, however, has not been determined. This study was designed to examine the involvement of the β-END/μ-opiate receptor system in human follicular melanocyte biology. We employed RT-PCR, and immunohisto/cytochemistry and immunoelectron microscopy using β-END and μ-opiate receptor specific antibodies and a functional role for β-END was assessed by direct stimulation with the peptide. This study has demonstrated that human hair follicle melanocytes (HFM) express mRNA for the μ-opiate receptor and POMC. Furthermore, β-END and its high affinity μ-opiate receptor are expressed at the protein level in glycoprotein100-positive follicular melanocytes and as a function of their anatomic location and differentiation status during the hair growth cycle. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) network, including its seven ligands and four related receptors, represents one of the most complex signaling systems in biology. In many tissues, including the skin and its appendages (notoriously the hair follicles), its correct function is necessary for proper development and tissue homeostasis, and its deregulation rapidly results in defects in cellular proliferation and differentiation. The consequences are impaired wound healing, development of psoriasis-like lesions, structural and functional defects of the hair follicles, and tumorigenesis. In addition to in vitro experiments and data from clinical studies, several genetically modified mouse models displaying alterations in the interfollicular skin and hair follicles attributable to mutations in components of the EGFR system have been reported. 

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Hair Therapy and Transplantation

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