Single-Cell Transcriptomics Reveals the Molecular Anatomy of Sheep Hair Follicle Heterogeneity and Wool Curvature

This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze 15,830 cells from Hu sheep lambskin, identifying 19 distinct cell populations and 14 major cell identities, which revealed the cellular heterogeneity of sheep hair follicles. It focused on the differences between curly and straight wool, identifying 74 differentially expressed genes, including those involved in WNT signaling, which may influence wool curvature. The study highlighted the role of dermal papilla cells in hair follicle development and suggested that variations in the WNT/β-catenin pathway activity might affect keratin organization and wool curvature. These findings provided insights into the molecular mechanisms of wool curvature and offered valuable information for sheep breeding.