Vitamin A Metabolism During Refractory Telogen

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Hair follicles cycle through periods of growth (anagen), regression (catagen) and rest (telogen). Telogen is further divided into refractory and competent telogen based on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4). Previously, the expression of a complete set of proteins involved in retinoic acid (RA) synthesis and signaling localized to the hair follicle and changed throughout the hair cycle. In addition, excess dietary vitamin A arrested the hair cycle in telogen; while retinol dehydrogenases short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase family 16C members 5 and 6 (Sdr16c5−/−/Sdr16c6−/−) double null mice had an accelerated the hair cycle. The purpose of this study was to further define these changes in the hair cycle. Methods The localization of RA synthesis proteins SDR16C5, retinol dehydrogenase 10 (RDH10), retinal dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH1A2), cellular RA binding protein 2 (CRABP2), RA degradation enzyme cytochrome p450 26B1 (CYP26B1), and BMP4 was examined in telogen hair follicles in female C57BL/6 J mice by immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemistry with an antibody against BMP4 was also used to mark refractory telogen in the previous dietary vitamin A study. Results All proteins localized to BMP4 positive refractory telogen hair follicles. SDR16C5 and ALDH1A2 were also seen in BMP4 negative competent telogen hair follicles, but at a lower level. RDH10 was expressed in both BMP4 negative and positive hair follicles at similar levels. BMP4 expression was also used to distinguish refractory from competent telogen in C57BL/6 J mice fed different levels of vitamin A. Both low and excess dietary vitamin A resulted a greater percentage of hair follicles in refractory telogen in different studies. Conclusions In conclusion, RA synthesis and signaling may be stronger in refractory telogen and contribute to the inhibition of the hair cycle. Funding Sources NIH/NIAMS, Internal funding.