Hair Histology and Glycosaminoglycans Distribution Probed by Infrared Spectral Imaging: Focus on Heparan Sulfate Proteoglycan and Glypican-1 During Hair Growth Cycle

This study utilized infrared spectral imaging (IRSI) to investigate the distribution of heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPGs) and glypican-1 (GPC1) in hair follicles during different phases of the hair growth cycle. Analyzing samples from 4 donors, the research demonstrated that IRSI could effectively map proteins and glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) without staining, with results consistent with traditional methods like immunohistochemistry. The study found that GPC1 was primarily located in the differentiation zone and hair shaft, while heparan sulfate was mainly in the outer and inner root sheaths, with distribution varying across growth phases. These findings suggested that IRSI could serve as a non-invasive tool for studying alopecia and identifying biomarkers for hair growth phases.