c-Maf and MafB transcription factors are differentially expressed in Huxley's and Henle's layers of the inner root sheath of the hair follicle and regulate cuticle formation
Received 17 September 2009; received in revised form 13 November 2009; accepted 10 December 2009. published online 12 July 2010. Corrected Proof
Abstract
Background
The hair follicle of mammalian skin consists of a group of concentric epithelial cell layers. The inner root sheath (IRS), which surrounds the hardening hair shaft beneath the skin surface, is subdivided into three layers, termed the cuticle of the IRS, Huxley's layer, and Henle's layer. The IRS forms a follicular wall in the hair canal and helps guide the developing hair shaft. c-Maf and MafB, members of the Maf family of transcription factors, play important roles in the developmental processes of various tissues and in cell type-specific gene expression.
Objective
The aim of this study is to reveal the pattern of expression and functional roles of c-Maf and MafB in the hair follicle.
Methods
We determined the precise location of c-Maf and MafB expression using immunofluorescent staining of mouse skin sections with layer-specific markers. We also analyzed whiskers of c-maf- and mafB-null mice (c-maf−/− and mafB−/−, respectively) using scanning electron microscopy.
Results
c-Maf and MafB were differentially expressed in the Huxley's and Henle's layers of the IRS. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed irregular cuticle patterning of whiskers of c-maf−/− and mafB−/− mice. The cuticles of mafB−/− mice were also thinner than those of wild-type mice.
Conclusion
c-Maf and MafB are expressed in the IRS layers in a lineage-restricted manner and are involved in hair morphogenesis.
aLaboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, Graduate School of Biological Science, Nara Institute of Science and Technology, 8916-5 Takayama-cho, Ikoma 630-0192, Japan
bInstitute of Basic Medical Sciences and Laboratory Animal Resource Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba 305-8575, Japan
ABSTRACT