Abstract
The objective of this study was to identify the expression and distribution of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 genes in the development and morphogenesis of hair follicles in fine-wool sheep. The results could lay a theoretical basis for understanding the molecular mechanism that regulates hair follicle development. The skin of Aohan fine-wool sheep at different developmental stages (embryonic day 90, E90d, and 120, E120d, and postnatal day 1, B1d, and 30, B30d) were selected. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to study the levels of mRNA and proteins, respectively. The RT-qPCR results showed that the mRNA expression level of EPHA4 at B1d was significantly lower than at E120d (). The expression of Ephrin A3 at E120d was significantly higher than that at E90d and B1d (). Immunohistochemical detection results showed that the level and localisation of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 proteins had spatial and temporal specificity. EPHA4 expression in dermal papilla cells might be important for inducing Aohan fine-hair follicle regeneration and for controlling the properties of the hair. Ephrin A3 might play an important role in the redifferentiation of secondary hair follicles and might also be involved in the inhibition of apoptosis-related gene expression in hair follicles. The Ephrin A3 signalling pathway might accelerate the growth of fine-hair follicles and increase the density of hair follicles.
Highlights
Wool is a source of high-quality textile raw materials derived from animals that has a significant impact on the national economy (McGregor, 2020)
To understand the role of EPHA4 and Ephrin A3 in the development of fine-wool follicles, we studied the changes in their expression in the hair follicles of Aohan fine-wool sheep
Studies on the erythropoietin-producing hepatocyte (Eph) receptors indicate that EPHA4 is expressed in the region of feather formation
Summary
Wool is a source of high-quality textile raw materials derived from animals that has a significant impact on the national economy (McGregor, 2020). Improving the production of high-quality fine wool has become a hot topic in recent years (Khamiruev et al, 2020). Fine-wool sheep are renowned for their high-quality wool, which is used in the textile industry and is an important agricultural commodity (Guo et al, 2020). Its wool quality is excellent and can be used as a high-grade textile raw material and has a high economic value and representation (Zhao et al, 2020). The organisational structure of the hair follicle and its characteristics have a decisive role in determining the quality and yield of the animal’s wool (Driskell et al, 2011; Lv et al, 2020). Hair follicle development is a dynamic process in which the epidermis and dermis exchange signals, and a series of signalling molecules and gene regulation are involved (Lv et al, 2016; Yang et al, 2019; Zhai et al, 2019)
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