All-Trans Retinoic Acid Modulates Proliferation And Apoptosis Of Secondary Hair Follicle–Dermal Papilla Cells In Cashmere Goats Via The TGF-β2/Smad2/3 Pathway

March 2026 in “ Frontiers in Veterinary Science ”

Yadong Gao, Guizhen Gao, Xiaoliang Zhang, Wei Lian, X. H. Wu, Kun Cui, Lei Zhu, Guoqing Jiang, Ziyang Xu, Jiawei Wang, Mingli Peng, Rui Ding, D J Liu, Ming Cang, Fei Hao

all-trans retinoic acid ATRA secondary hair follicle–derived dermal papilla cells SHF-DPCs TGF-β2 Smad2/3 pathway Bax Bcl-2 TGF-β receptor inhibitor retinoic acid TGF-beta

TLDR All-trans retinoic acid slows cell growth and increases cell death in goat hair follicles through a specific pathway.

The study examines the impact of all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) on secondary hair follicle–derived dermal papilla cells (SHF-DPCs) in cashmere goats, highlighting the TGF-β2/Smad2/3 signaling pathway's role. ATRA was found to inhibit cell proliferation and promote apoptosis by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest and altering apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Bcl-2. Transcriptomic analysis identified 4,267 differentially expressed genes, with significant upregulation of TGF-β2. The effects were confirmed through rescue experiments using a TGF-β receptor inhibitor, which reversed ATRA-induced changes. These findings suggest ATRA modulates SHF-DPC behavior via the TGF-β2/Smad2/3 pathway, contributing to hair follicle regression and apoptosis, and offer insights into potential interventions for hair follicle-related disorders.

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