Background & Aims : Hair follicle morphogenesis is controlled by complex reprocical ectodermal–mesenchymal interactions regulated by molecular mechanisms. In addition, glycoconjugates are known to be important for molecular interactions during developmental processes. The aim of this research was to study glcoconjugate terminal sugars distributions and changes during rat hair follicle morphogenesis using light microscopic lectinhistochemical technique.

  Materials & Methods : Using lectinhistochemistry technique formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded 16, 18, and 20 day-rats and were incubated with different HRP-lectins from Lotus tetragonolobus (LTA), Arachis hypogaea or Peanut (PNA) and Glycine max (soybean) agglutinin (SBA) that are specific for α-L Fuc, Gal (β1→3) GalNAC and D-Gal (β1→3) DGalNAC terminal sugars, respectively. On the basis of colorimetery data that was determined by blind method, the sections were graded and photographed.

  Results : T he epithermal bud, basement membrane, and mesenchimal condensation reacted with PNA on E₁₆. Some component of developing hair follicle such as epithermal root sheath and cortex reacted with PNA moderately on E₁₈ and these reactions followed on E₂₀ to various degrees: weak and intensive, respectively. The reactions of Epithermal bud and mesenchimal condensation with SBA were weak and moderate, respectively on E₁₆. Basement membrane, cortex, and epithermal root sheath reacted with SBA weakly on E₁₈. Cortex, cuticle and epithermal root sheath reacted strongly on E₂₀. The epithermal bud and mesenchimal condensation reacted with LTA on E₁₆ moderately. Basement membrane, cortex and epithermal root sheath reacted with LTA weakly and matrix reacted strongly on E₁₈. Basement membrane, cortex, cuticle and epithermal root sheath reacted strongly and matrix reacted moderately on E₂₀.

  Conclusion : Finally, glcoconjugate terminal sugars expression such as α-L Fuc, Gal (β1→3) GalNAC and D-Gal (β1→3) DGalNAC are developmentally regulated during hair follicle morphogenesis.  

  Source: Urmia Med J 2011: 22(5): 486 ISSN: 1027-3727