Hair growth disorders cause significant psychological distress, but are poorly controlled. Since prostaglandin F₂α (PGF₂α) and prostamide F₂α analogue glaucoma treatments cause eyelash growth as side-effects, they may be useful for alopecia. How they function is unknown; possibilities include direct action on hair follicles or stimulating follicular blood flow. It is important to clarify whether scalp follicles can also respond as human follicle response to androgens differ with body site. Therefore, human scalp follicles were grown in vitro in organ culture with PGF₂α, latanoprost, a PGF₂α analogue, and bimatoprost, a prostamide F₂α analogue, with, or without, appropriate antagonists, and the presence of PGF₂α (FP) and prostamide F₂α receptors were investigated using molecular biological and immunohiostochemical methods. Each treatment significantly stimulated follicle growth rate, the percentage of growing follicles, and the amount of hair produced in a dose-responsive manner (10nM-1μM); the receptor antagonists blocked these effects. Immunohistochemistry of frozen scalp sections demonstrated FP protein only in dermal papillae and connective tissue sheaths. RT-PCR identified FP and various prostamide F₂α receptors in anagen follicles and isolated dermal papillae and bulbar connective tissue sheath, but not in bulb matrix or other epithelial tissues. Therefore, isolated human scalp hair follicles can respond biologically to PGF₂α and related pharmaceuticals in organ culture via follicular receptors and express the genes and protein for FP and prostamide F₂α receptors. PGF₂α-related drugs appear to act directly on follicles via receptors in the regulatory dermal papilla. They offer an exciting, novel approach for treating alopecia and merit clinical investigation.

Primary wool follicles are initiated in the skin of sheep foetuses at approximately day 50 of gestation as the result of complex reciprocal molecular interactions between the mesenchyme and overlying epithelium. The lifetime wool production potential and fibre diameter of the Merino sheep is dependent on the total number of follicles initiated in utero. Understanding the molecular events that surround primary wool follicle initiation may provide approaches to enhance or manipulate this process in order to maximise the profitability of wool production enterprises. In order to study the morphological and molecular changes occurring during early wool follicle development, a foetal skin series spanning primary follicle initiation was generated. Foetal skin was sampled from the shoulder, midside and rump of four foetuses at 8 time points between day 43 and day 68 of gestation. Histological characterisation of the shoulder skin samples revealed that primary epidermal placodes emerged at around day 53, dermal condensates were visible from day 57 and downgrowth of the follicle began at day 68. An equation relating age of the foetus (day of gestation post AI) and crown-rump length, specific to Merino foetuses, was developed for use in future studies of this nature. Molecular markers of fibroblast migration, epidermal and dermal stem cells and cell proliferation were selected to test the hypothesis that dermal condensates are initiated at discrete sites beneath the epidermis as a result of a combination of migration and arrangement of multipotent pre-papilla cells. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of RAC1 and RHOa (migration markers), β1-integrin and alkaline phosphatase (stem cell markers), proliferative nuclear cell antigen and cyclinB1 (proliferation markers), patched-1, selected tumor necrosis factor (TNF) signalling molecules and eleven reference genes was conducted using midside and rump skin samples from each of four foetuses from the 8 time points. geNorm analysis of the reference and target genes revealed that the migration markers RAC1 and RHOa along with GAPDH were the most stably expressed genes in this sample series. Significant changes in mRNA expression were detected for β1-integrin, alkaline phosphatase, patched-1 and the TNF members EDA, EDAR, TROY and TRAF6. Many of these significant differences in expression coincided with key morphological events. Significant differences in expression were also detected between the midside and rump samples for numerous transcripts. Laser capture microdissection (LCM) was implemented for analysis of the target transcripts within particular structures of foetal sheep skin. Frozen tissue sectioning, staining, LCM, RNA extraction and cDNA synthesis were optimised for qRT-PCR analysis of endogenous controls and selected TNF transcripts. Several RNA extraction methods and reverse transcription approaches were trialled to ensure optimum extraction and reverse transcription efficiency for this tissue type. Exogenous mRNA transcripts were also incorporated prior to RNA extraction and reverse transcription to track reaction efficiency between samples. A comparison of different slide types revealed that laser pressure catapulting from membrane slides was an absolute requirement for foetal skin tissue studies. Follicle regions (including the epidermal placode and dermal condensate) and the adjacent non-follicle regions were laser captured from foetal skin, and the mRNA expression levels of patched-1 and selected TNF members was compared. Preliminary qRT-PCR analysis using this technique revealed that EDAR, TROY and PTCH1 mRNA levels were higher in the follicle regions than the non-follicle regions. The TNF signalling pathway appears to play an important role in primary wool follicle initiation and patterning at different sites on the body. Spatial differences in expression of some of these regulators may be involved in initiating different types of follicles. The molecular events surrounding primary wool follicle initiation also show a high degree of conservation between sheep, humans, and mice. Considering the high degree of DNA sequence conservation as well as the histological, signalling and cycling similarities between sheep and humans, sheep may represent a better model for the study of human hair follicle initiation and disease than the currently used mice and rat models. / http://proxy.library.adelaide.edu.au/login?url= http://library.adelaide.edu.au/cgi-bin/Pwebrecon.cgi?BBID=1523639 / Thesis (Ph.D.) -- University of Adelaide, School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, 2010

Les mélanocytes sont des cellules productrices de mélanines, à l’origine de la teinte de la peau, des yeux et des cheveux. Elles dérivent d'une population multipotente appelée cellules de la crête neurale, qui génère entre autres également tout le système nerveux périphérique. Une prolifération accrue des précurseurs des mélanocytes durant le développement entraine chez l’homme l’apparition d’un nævus mélanocytaire congénital (NMC). Cette prolifération est due à une mutation somatique au sein d'un de ces précurseurs, dans des gènes de la voie de signalisation des MAP-Kinases, NRAS ou BRAF. Les plus grandes formes, couvrant des parties entières du corps, sont syndromiques. Ils peuvent associer des mélanocytoses, des malformations ou tumeurs cérébrales ou méningées, parfois épileptogènes, ainsi qu'un risque autour de 5% de dégénérer en mélanome, dans un des sites atteints. Durant ma thèse j’ai exploré des modèles murins où les protéines NRAS ou BRAF constitutivement actives sont exprimées très tôt au cours de l’embryogenèse, dans les cellules de la crête neurale. Les embryons mutants BrafV600E connaissent une létalité embryonnaire, probablement due à une superposition de défauts vasculaires et cérébraux. En revanche, les souris NrasG12D sont viables,présentent des mélanocytoses extracutanées dans des sites divers, ainsi qu’une hyperpigmentation cutanée, visible en postnatal. Cette hyperpigmentation est associée à une augmentation de la densité folliculaire, ainsi qu’à un dérèglement du cycle du follicule pileux. Des cultures de cellules de crête neurale murines, BrafV600E ou NrasG12D et contrôles, ont permis d’élucider sur le plan moléculaire les effets de telles mutations. / Melanocytes are the vertebrate cells that produce melanin, conferring color on skin, hair and eyes. They arise from a multipotent embryonic cell population called the neural crest, which also gives rise to the peripheral nervous system of the body and many other cell types. Abnormal proliferation of melanocyte precursors before birth can lead to human congenital melanocytic nevus (CMN). CMN are caused by prenatal somatic mutations in the NRAS or BRAF genes of the MAP-Kinase pathway, in one of these precursors. The largest CMN, covering entire segments of the body or head, are syndromic. They are sometimes associated with epileptogenic brain or meningeal malformations, tumors or melanocytosis, and they present a risk of about 5% in all these sites of becoming pediatric malignant melanoma. During my thesis, I explored mouse models expressing constitutively activated NRAS or BRAF proteins in neural crest cell lineages, from very early in embryogenesis. BrafV600E mutant embryos are embryonic lethal at mid-gestation, probably due to coinciding vascular and brain defects. In contrast, NrasG12D mice are viable, present extracutaneous melanocytosis in various sites as well as postnatal hyperpigmentation of the skin. This is associated with increased hair follicle density, and a deregulated hair cycle. Cell culture of mutant or wildtype mouse neural crest cells of both genotypes has permitted the comparison and discovery of molecular differences introduced by these mutations.

Submitted by Raquel Vasconcelos Guimarães de Castro null (rvgcastro@hotmail.com) on 2016-06-10T17:22:52Z No. of bitstreams: 1 Definitivo v11 VERSÃO IMPRESSA.pdf: 3954271 bytes, checksum: fbf5e7559a791827787906302174080b (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Paula Grisoto (grisotoana@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2016-06-15T17:22:54Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 castro_rvg_me_jabo.pdf: 3954271 bytes, checksum: fbf5e7559a791827787906302174080b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-15T17:22:54Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 castro_rvg_me_jabo.pdf: 3954271 bytes, checksum: fbf5e7559a791827787906302174080b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-02-26 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / A pele é um órgão extenso e de fácil acesso, e possui vários tipos celulares diferentes que estão em constante renovação. Dentre estas células, alguns tipos de células-tronco com potencial proliferativo, de autorrenovação e de diferenciação, são responsáveis pela manutenção da homeostase deste órgão e pela cura de feridas. Estudos anteriores sugerem a existência de um nicho de células-tronco presente no “bulge” dos folículos pilosos, que contém populações positivas para CD200 e CD34. Este trabalho foi realizado com o intuito de: 1- Obter tecidos derivados da pele de cães adultos e fetos, isolar e cultivar as células in vitro derivadas destes, empregando um método de isolamento celular através de digestão enzimática simples 2- Comprovar a presença de células do “bulge”, positivas para CD200 e CD34 após cultivo celular in vitro, comparando com a análise do tecido; Uma coloração por hematoxilina e eosina foi realizada da pele de cães adultos e fetos, e biopsias e células cultivadas in vitro foram caracterizadas pela presença das proteínas CD200 e CD34 através de imunofluorescência, imunocitoquímica e citometria de fluxo. Os resultados da imunofluorescência foram negativos para ambos CD200 e CD34 nas peles de feto e adulto. Na imunocitoquímica, as células foram positivas para CD34 e CD200, tanto em fetos quanto adultos. Adicionalmente, o marcador de pluripotência OCT4 foi testado, sendo expresso em células de feto. Por citometria de fluxo, a porcentagem média de células marcadas duplamente por CD200 e CD34 nos adultos foi de 3,1% e nos fetos de 0,33% (n=3). A marcação somente por CD200 foi encontrada somente nos adultos, sendo de 2,8% (n=3). Os resultados sugerem ser possível a obtenção de células-tronco do “bulge” do folículo piloso através do método de digestão enzimática simples, utilizado neste trabalho. Este estudo é o primeiro passo para novas pesquisas que envolvam esse nicho, na pele de cães. / Skin is an extensive and easily accessible organ, possessing various cell types which are in constant renovation. Some stem cell types found in the skin have the potential of self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation, processes which are responsible for the organ’s maintenance of homeostasis and the healing of wounds. Previous studies suggested the presence of a stem cell niche at the bulge region of the hair follicle, which contains cell populations positive for CD200 and CD34. Thus, this work sought to identify these cell populations in canine cultures using the following methods: 1. 1- Collecting samples of adult and fetus canine skin, isolating and culturing these cells in vitro using a method of simple enzymatic digestion; 2- Testing the cell cultures for CD200 and CD34 in vitro, comparing them with analyzed tissue material. Hematoxylin and eosin staining were conducted for the biopsies and analysis of fetal and adult canine skin, with the extracted cell cultures being characterized for the presence of the proteins CD200 and CD34 through immunofluorescence, immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry. In both adult and fetal tissue samples, CD200 and CD34 immunofluorescence results were negative. In immunocytochemistry, both fetal and adult cultures cells tested positive for CD34 and CD200. The pluripotency marker OCT4 was also tested, and was positive for fetal culture cells. Flow cytometer results showed that, for samples with a double staining of CD200 and CD34 the average percentage of marked cells was 3.1% in adults and 0.33% in fetal cells (n=3). For the CD200 marker alone, positive cells were found only in adult cultures, representing 2.8% of the total population (n=3). In conclusion, the results suggest that obtaining bulge stem cells from both fetuses and adults, with use of CD200 and CD34 markers, is validated through the simple enzymatic digestion and cell culture methods utilized in this study. The present work is the first step towards developing new research involving this niche in dogs.

A alopecia difusa não-cicatricial (ADNC) acomete 7% dos pacientes HIV positivos. O objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar os achados histológicos e imunohistoquímicos (citoqueratina 19/TUNEL e caspase 3 clivada) em cortes transversais de couro cabeludo de 15 pacientes HIV-1 positivos com ADNC e de 12 controles sadios. A apoptose de células tronco-foliculares e amplificadoras transitórias na protuberância folicular foi demonstrada pela dupla marcação TUNEL/CK19 em 80% dos casos e em 25% dos controles e, pelo anticorpo anti-caspase 3 clivada em 61% dos casos e 16% dos controles. Não houve correlação entre a incidência de apoptose e o grau de imunodeficiência dentre os casos / Seven percent of HIV positive patients present diffuse non-cicatricial alopecia (DNCA). The aim of this study was to compare the histological and the immunohistochemical (cytokeratin 19/TUNEL and cleaved caspase 3) findings in transverse scalp sections of 15 HIV-1 positive patients with DNCA and 12 healthy controls. Follicular stem and transit amplifying cells apoptosis in the bulge was demonstrated by double labeling TUNEL/CK19 in 80% of cases and 25% of controls, and by the anti-cleaved caspase 3 antibody in 61% of cases and 16% of the controls. There was no relation between the incidence of apoptosis and the degree of immunodeficiency among cases

O pelo é uma característica dos mamíferos: na maioria das espécies, juntamente com a pele, a pelagem reveste externamente o corpo, com exceção de algumas regiões bem delimitadas. O pelo do cão e demais mamíferos apresenta formato distinto de acordo com a região do corpo. O estudo da obtenção e caracterização de células-tronco em cães poderá ampliar as possibilidades terapêuticas, mediante a utilização das células indiferenciadas na reparação capilar e lesões da pele e seus anexos. Neste trabalho foram utilizadas amostras de folículo piloso retiradas da região rostral de fetos caninos correspondentes a três fases gestacionais distintas (grupo I= 30 dias de gestação; grupo II= 35 dias de gestação; grupo III= 40 dias de gestação).Estas amostras foram cultivadas em placas de Petri de 75 cm² com 5mL de meio de cultivo DMEM, suplementado com 10% de soro fetal bovino (SFB) e 1% de antibióticos estreptomicina/penicilina. As células obtidas foram congeladas e descongeladas e utilizados nos procedimentos de, análise da expressão dos marcadores de células-tronco: STRO-1, CD 117, OCT 3/4, CD 90, Nanog, CD- 34, SSEA-4, CD -105, MCP-1, HSP- 47, CD 1 A, VEGFR1, DR4, IL- 1 β, caspase3, Ki- 67, CD -45. A escolha dos anticorpos marcadores de células-tronco foi baseada em estudos que mostraram afinidade e avidez com o folículo piloso. Utilizamos também para a caracterização do folículo piloso, a imunohistoquímica e análise de PCR com o marcador S100 e a imunocitoquímica com os marcadores OCT 3/4, VEGF, STRO-1, CD117 e Nanog. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a linhagem celular do folículo piloso de fetos de cães apresentaram crescimento satisfatório com a utilização do meio DMEM-hight suplementado com 10% de SFB inativado e 1% de antibióticos, sendo mantidas e expandidas em cultivo. O crescimento e a expansão das células-tronco do folículo piloso são peculiares, pois, sua expansão ocorre em torno da haste pilosa, utilizando-a como ancoragem. Os resultados indicaram características de pluripotência nas células-tronco do folículo piloso pela expressão dos marcadores OCT3/4, Nanog, CD105, CD90, SSEA-4, e STRO-1, em todos os grupos analisados. Considerando, a taxa de proliferação, a fase do ciclo celular, distribuição e aspectos de morte celular não foram encontradas diferenças significantes na expressão dos marcadores HSP47, DR4. Para verificar a angiogêneseforam utilizados os marcadores VEGFR1, Ki-67 e caspase-3, sendo expressos em todos os grupos. Na imunohistoquímica e análise de PCR observou-se a expressão da proteína S100, sendo maior nas células do grupo de fetos com 40 dias de gestação- grupo III. Neste estudo, podemos concluir que o conjunto de marcadores expressos nos diferentes grupos de células tronco obtidas das vibrissas de fetos caninos indicaram a expressão de marcadores de pluripotência das células-tronco do folículo piloso / Hair is a characteristic of mammals, since in most species the coat spreads throughout the body, except for some well-defined regions. Mammals in general, including dogs, have different characteristics in their coat according to the region of the body. The study of obtainment and characterization of stem cells from the hair follicle could contribute to new therapeutic possibilities, particularly in the treatment of hair, skin and it appendices injuries. In this study, hair follicle samples were harvestedin the rostral region of canine fetuses, divided into three distinct groups, according to the stage of pregnancy, as follows: Group I = 30 days, Group II = 35 days, Group III = 40 days. These samples were grown in 75 cm² Petri dishes with 5 mL of DMEM culture medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and antibiotics 1% streptomycin / penicillin. Cells were frozen and thawed and used in procedures for analysis of expression of markers of stem cells: STRO-1, CD 117, OCT 3/4, CD 90, Nanog, CD- 34,SSEA -4,CD- 105, MCP-1, HSP-47, CD 1 A, VEGF-R1, DR4, IL-1 β, caspase-3, Ki-67, CD -45. The choice of antibodies was based on studies that showed affinity and avidity to the hair follicle. In addition, for purposes of characterization of the hair follicle, procedures for immunohistochemistry and PCR analysis with the marker S100 and immunocytochemistry with the markers OCT3/4, VEGF, STRO-1, CD117 e Nanog were used. The results suggested that hair follicle cell line of fetal dogs showed satisfactory growth using the DMEM high medium supplemented with 10% inactivated FBS and 1% antibiotics and could be maintained and expanded in culture. The growth and expansion of stem cells of the hair follicle are unique because they occur around the hair shaft using it as anchorage. Results also indicated pluripotency features in the hair follicle stem cells through the positive expression of Oct3/4, Nanog, CD105, CD90, SSEA-4 and STRO-1, in all groups. Regarding the proliferation rate and cell cycle phase, distribution and cell death aspects, HSP47, DR4 were used. To verify angiogenesis, VEGFR1, Ki67 and Caspase-3 were expressed in all groups. In Immunohistochemistry procedures we observed the expression of S100, and in mRNA on RT-PCR. We concluded in this study that in group III the expression of S100 was higher than in the two other groups. In addition, we found that the pluripotency of the stem cells was indicated by the expression of the markers OCT3/4, Nanog, CD105, CD90, SSEA-4 and STRO-1

Abstract Collagen XVIII is a basement membrane proteoglycan, which has three variant N-termini. These variants are coded by two promoters; promoter 1 directs the synthesis of a short variant and promoter 2 directs the synthesis of two longer variants, of which the middle variant is generated from the longest by splicing. The longest variant contains a cysteine-rich domain in its N-terminus, which shows homology to the frizzled receptors of the Wnt molecules and can inhibit Wnt/beta-catenin signalling in vitro. The C-terminal domain of collagen XVIII, endostatin, is an inhibitor of tumor growth and angiogenesis. Lack of collagen XVIII accelerates cutanous wound healing and wound angiogenesis. Overexpression of endostatin leads to delayed wound healing and the presence of morphologically abnormal wound capillaries. Moreover, endostatin overexpression leads to delayed formation of the wound epidermal basement membrane and impaired maturation of hemidesmosomes. Endostatin treatment decreases osteoblast proliferation in vitro. Moreover, osteoblast proliferation and mineralization of the matrix by osteoblasts are inhibited when cells are treated with endostatin together with VEGF. In vivo, lack of collagen XVIII leads to delayed formation of secondary ossification centers in mouse femurs, whereas overexpression of endostatin leads to a slower growth of bone length. However, both of these changes are transient and mild, suggesting that collagen XVIII/endostatin is not essential for skeletal development. The growth of hair follicles is delayed in the mice overexpressing endostatin. This delay in growth is preceded by an impaired hair follicle associated angiogenesis. Lack of collagen XVIII causes an accelerated onset of the first hair cycle. A similar change can be seen in mice lacking the long variants of collagen XVIII. Lack of the short variant causes mild acceleration in the catagen of the first cycle, and anagen is also significantly accelerated in these mice. The long variants were located in the bulge region, which contains the hair follicle stem cells, and in the basement membrane surrounding the dermal papilla. As it is known that several Wnt-inhibitors are upregulated in the bulge, our results suggest that the longest variant of collagen XVIII may have a role as a regulator of Wnt-signalling in hair follicles.

The hair cycle represents a dynamic process during which a complex mini- organ, the hair follicle, rhythmically regresses and regenerates. The control mechanism that governs the hair cycle ('hair cycle clock') is thought to be an autonomous oscillator system, however, its exact nature is not known. This thesis aims to understand the human hair cycle as a systems biology problem using theoretical and experimental techniques in three distinct study approaches. Using mathematical modelling, a simple two-compartment model of the human hair cycle was developed. The model concentrates on the growth control of matrix keratinocytes, a key cell population responsible for hair growth, and bi-directional communication between these cells and the inductive fibroblasts of the dermal papilla. A bistable switch and feedback inhibition produces key characteristics of human hair cycle dynamics. This study represents the first mathematically formulated theory of the 'hair cycle clock'.A second chronobiological approach was adopted to explore the molecular control of the human hair follicle by a peripheral clock mechanism. The hypothesis was tested that selected circadian clock genes regulate the human hair cycle, namely the clinically crucial follicle transformation from organ growth (anagen) to organ regression (catagen). This revealed that intra- follicular expression of core clock and clock-controlled genes display a circadian rhythm and is hair cycle-dependent. Knock-down of Period1 and Clock promotes anagen maintenance, hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and stimulates hair follicle pigmentation. This provides the first evidence that peripheral Period1 and Clock gene activity is a component of the human 'hair cycle clock' mechanism. Lastly, an unbiased gene expression profiling approach was adopted to establish important genes and signalling pathways that regulate the human hair cycle. This revealed that similar genes and pathways previously shown to control the murine hair cycle in vivo, such as Sgk3, Msx2 and the BMP pathway, are also differentially regulated during the anagen-catagen transformation of human hair follicles. In summary, by using a three-pronged systems biology approach, the thesis has shed new light on the control of human hair follicle cycling and has generated clinically relevant information: a) The hair cycle model may predict how hair cycle modulatory agents alter human hair growth. b) Period1 and Clock are new therapeutic targets for human hair growth manipulation. c) Gene expression profiling points to additional key players in human hair cycle control with potential for future therapeutic targets.

Hårfollikeln är en struktur som hittas hos alla däggdjur. Hår skyddar kroppen från UV-ljus, medverkar i kroppens värmereglering och har flera kommunikativa funktioner. Hårets varierande färg inom och mellan arter är både en fascinerande och intresseväckande egenskap som länge har studerats som en modell för genetisk nedärvning. I denna litteraturstudie ges en genomgång av hårfollikelns struktur och funktion, genetiken bakom hårets pigmentering samt didaktiska utmaningar i genetikundervisningen. Interaktioner mellan generna MC1R, ASIP (agouti) och POMC förklaras och exemplifieras. Dessutom diskuteras hur fårfollikeln och de pigmentreglerande generna kan användas i gymnasieskolan som ett exempel för komplicerade genetiska interaktioner. / The hair follicle is a structure found in all mammals. Hair protects the body from UV-induced damage, assists the body in its thermoregulation and has several communicative functions. The great variation in hair colour, both within and between species, is a captivating and intriguing trait that has been used as a model for genetic inheritance for a long time. This literature review features the structure and function of the hair follicle, the genetics behind the pigmentation of the hair as well as didactic challenges in teaching genetics. Interactions between the genes MC1R, ASIP (agouti) and POMC is both explained and illustrated. This review also discusses how the hair follicle and the genes regulating pigmentation can be used as an example of intricate genetic interactions in the upper secondary school. / <p>På grund av Covid-19 skedde presentation, opponering och respondering skriftligt på distans.</p>

No / Human skin is a local source of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and expresses CRH and CRH receptors (CRH-R) at mRNA and protein levels. Epidermal melanocytes respond to CRH by induction of cAMP with up-regulation of pro-opiomelanocortin gene expression and subsequent production of adrenocorticotropin hormone. However, the role of CRH/CRH-R in melanocyte biology is complicated by the significant heterogeneity of cutaneous melanocyte subpopulations, from continuously active and UV-responsive melanocytes in epidermis to UV nonresponsive, hair growth cycle-coupled melanogenesis in hair follicles. In the present study we report that normal human scalp hair follicle melanocytes express CRH at the mRNA level. Furthermore, CRH, urocortin and CRH-R 1 and 2 were differentially expressed in follicular melanocytes, fibroblasts, and keratinocytes depending on anatomic location and differentiation status in situ and in vitro. Stimulation of follicular melanocytes with CRH and CRH peptides, modified for selectivity for CRH-R1 and/or CRH-R2, variably induced cell melanogenesis, dendricity, and proliferation. CRH-peptides also stimulated the expression and activity of Tyrosinase, and expression of Tyrosinase-related protein-1 and-2. However, a modified urocortin peptide highly selective for CRH-R2 down-regulated melanocyte differentiation phenotype. This study indicates that CRH peptides can differentially influence hair follicle melanocyte behavior not only via CRH-R1 signaling but also by complex cross-talk between CRH-R1 and CRH-R2.¿Kauser, S., Slominski, A., Wei, E. T., Tobin, D. J. Modulation of the human hair follicle pigmentary unit by corticotropin-releasing hormone and urocortin peptides.