Apoptotic Cells May Drive Cell Death in Hair Follicles During Their Regression Cycle

The study investigated the role of apoptotic cells in driving cell death during the regression cycle of hair follicles in live mice. It was found that epithelial cell elimination involved basal cell apoptosis and supra-basal cell differentiation, influenced by TGF-β and mesenchymal-epithelial interactions. The dermal papilla (DP) was crucial for initiating, but not completing, the cycle. The research suggested that apoptosis propagated through apoptotic cells inducing death in neighboring cells, with a pro-survival signal gradient from stem cells slowing apoptosis as it neared them. An experiment was proposed to test this mechanism.