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Description |
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The hair follicle is a three-dimensional tube, composed mainly of epithelial
cells that protrude down through the epidermis and dermis of the skin,
enveloping at its base the mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla. These hair
follicle acts as a sensory organ and immunologic sentinel for the skin. Hairs
detect mechanical stimuli above the surface of the skin, and the slightest bend
in a hair activates Neuroreceptors in the follicle, relaying important sensory
information to the Nervous System. The Langerhans cells (Dendritic
Antigen-Presenting Cells) at the opening of the follicle detect surface
pathogens and activate the immune system. The hair follicle has a complex
immunologic profile, with immunologically "privileged" matrix at its base, and a
complement of perifollicular macrophages, mast cells, and other [...] |
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References:
1. Controls of hair follicle cycling.Stenn KS, Paus R.Physiol Rev. 2001 Jan; 81(1):449-494.2. In search of the "hair cycle clock": a guided tour.Paus R, Foitzik K.Differentiation. 2004 Dec; 72(9-10):489-511.
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