Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Non-keratinocyte cells in hair follicles (with special emphasis to human hair follicles)

  • Chapter
Trends in Human Hair Growth and Alopecia Research

Abstract

The three dendritic cell populations present in epidermis, i.e. Langerhans cell, Merkel cell and melanocytes, also occur in hair follicles. Langerhans cells have been demonstrated by both indirect immunofluorescence and electron microscopy in the upper part of the outer root sheath of hair follicles. Their presence in the hair matrix is still a matter of discussion. Very little is known on the biology of follicular Langerhans cells. Merkel cells may be associated with various types of hair including vellus hair, sinus hair, vibrissae or whiskers. They form organized intraepithelial associations with axon terminals. This is also the case of the tactile hair disk, which is usually, but not constantly, in relation to the hair follicles.

Hair follicle melanocytes synthesize the melanin pigments responsible for the hair color. This follicular compartment of melanocytes is anatomically, and at least to some extent, physiologically distinct from the epidermal one.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution

Subscribe and save

Springer+ Basic
$34.99 /Month
  • Get 10 units per month
  • Download Article/Chapter or eBook
  • 1 Unit = 1 Article or 1 Chapter
  • Cancel anytime
Subscribe now

Buy Now

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Breathnach AS. The distribution of Langerhans’ cells within the human hair follicles and some observations on its staining properties with gold chloride. JAnat, 97, 73–80, 1963

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Breathnach AS, Birbeck MS, Everall JD. Observations bearing on the relationship between Langerhans’ cells and melanocytes. Ann NY Acad Sci, 100, 223, 1963

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Baker RW, McKee-Protopapas S, Habowsky JE. The Langerhans cell in hairless mouse epidermis. Scan Electron Microsc, 1, 457–465, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  4. Khalil HM, Nitiuthai S, Allen JR. Alkaline phosphatase-positive Langerhans cells in the epidermis of Cattle. J Invest Dermatol, 79, 47–51, 1982

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Wolff K. Histologische Beobachtungen aus der normalen menschlichen Haut bei der Durchführung fermet-histochemischer Untersuchungen mit Adenosintriphosphat. Arch KIM Ezp Denn, 216, 1, 1963

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wolff K, Winkelmann RK. Non-pigmentary enzymes of the melanocyte-Langerhans’ cell system, Advances in Biology of Skin. Vol. 8, pp. 135–167. Oxford: Pergamon Press, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  7. Breathnach AS, Goodwin EP. Electron microscopy of non-keratinocytes in the basal layer of white epidermis of the recessively spotted guinea-pig. JAnat, 99, 377, 1965

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Jimbow K, Sato S, Kukita A. Langerhans cells of the normal human pilosebaceous system. J Invest Dennatol, 52, 177–180, 1969

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Sato S, Kukita A, Jimbow K. Electron microscopic studies of dendritic cells in the human grey and white hair matrix during anagen. Pigment Cell, 1, 20–26, 1973

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wiesner-Menzel L, Happle R. Intrabulbar and peribulbar accumulation of dendritic OKT-6 Positive cells in alopecia areata. Arch Dermatol Res, 276, 333–334, 1984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kohchiyama A, Hatamochi A, Ueki H. Increased number of OKT-6 -positive dendritic cells in the hair follicles of patients with alopecia areata. Dermatologica, 171, 327–331, 1985

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Thomas JA, Biggerstaff M, Sloane JP, Easton DF. Immunological and histochemical analysis of regional variations of epidermal Langerhans cells in normal human skin. Histochem J, 16, 507–519, 1984

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Breathnach AS. The mammalian and avian Merkel cell. In The Skin of Vertebrates. (Spearman RIC, Riley PA, eds), Linnean Society Symposium Series, 9, 283–291, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  14. Iggo A. Electrophysiology of cutaneous sensory receptors. In The Skin of Vertebrates. (Spearman RIC, Riley PA, eds), Linnean Society Symposium series, 9, 255–270, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  15. Montagna W. General review of the anatomy, growth and development of hair in man. In Biology and Disease of the Hair. ( Kobori T, Montagna W, eds) Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 1975

    Google Scholar 

  16. Halata Z. Sensory innervation of various hair follicles. In The Skin of Vertebrates. (Spearman RIC, Riley PA, eds), Linnean Society Symposium series, 9, 303–307, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  17. Halata Z, Munger BL. Sensory nerve endings in Rhesus monkey sinus hairs. J Comp Neurol, 192, 645–663, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Hartschuh W, Weihe E. Fine structure analysis of the synaptic junction of Merkel cell-axon complexes. J Invest Dennatol, 75, 159–165, 1980

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Patrizi G, Munger BL. The ultrastructure and innervation of rat vibrissae. J Comp Neurol, 126, 423–436, 1966

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Nurse CA, Mearow KM, Holmes M, Visheau B, Diamond J. Merkel cell distribution in the epidermis as determined by quinacrine fluorescence. Cell Tissue Res, 228, 511–524, 1983

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  21. Andres KH. Zur Feinstruktur des rezeptoren am sinushaaren. Z Zellforsch, 75, 339–365, 1966.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Pinkus F. Uber einen bisher unbekannten Nepenapparat am Haarsystem des Menschen. Haarscheiben Dennatol, 9, 465–469, 1902

    Google Scholar 

  23. Iggo A, Muir AR. The structure and function of a slowly adapting touch corpuscle in hairy skin. JPhysiol (London), 200, 763–796, 1969

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Mann ST, Straile WE. Tylotrich (hair) follicle: association with a slowly adapting tactile receptor in the cat. Science, 147, 1043–1045, 1965

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Kawamura T, Nichiyama S, Ikeda S, Tajima K. The human Haarscheibe, its structure and function. J Invest Dermatol, 42, 87–90, 1964

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Winkelmann RK, Breathnach AS. The Merkel cell. Jlnvest Dermatol, 60, 2–15, 1973

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Smith KR Jr The Haarscheibe. J Invest Dermatol, 69, 68–74, 1977

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Straile WE. Sensory hair follicles in mammalian skin: the tylotrich follicle. Am JAnat, 106, 133–147, 1960.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. English KB. Morphogenesis of Haarscheiben in rats. J Invest Dermatol, 69, 58–67, 1977

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Tamponi M. Nuovo contributo alla conoscenze del “disco del pelo” (Haarscheibe de Pinkus) con particolare riguardo alla sua iconografia macroscopia. Arch Ital Dermatol Venereol Sessuol, 15, 378–394, 1939

    Google Scholar 

  31. Smith KR. The structure and function of the Haarscheibe. J Comp Neurol, 69, 41–46, 1967

    Google Scholar 

  32. Nillson BY. Structure and function of the tactile hair receptors on the cat’s foreleg. Acta Physiol Scand, 77, 396–416, 1969

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Hartschuh W, Jweihe E, Reinecke M. The Merkel cell. In The Biology of the Integument Vol. 2: Vertebrates. Springer-Verlag, Berlin, 605–620, 1986

    Google Scholar 

  34. Montagna W, Chase HB. Histology and cytochemistry of human skin. X-irradiation of the scalp. Am JAnat, 99, 425–116, 1956

    Google Scholar 

  35. Staricco RG. Amelanotic melanocytes in the outer sheath of the human hair follicle and their role in the repigmentation of regenerated epidermis. Ann NYAcad Sci, 100, 239–255, 1963

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  36. Staricco RG, Miller-Millinska T. Activation of the amelanotic melanocyte in the outer root sheath of the hair follicle following ultraviolet exposure. J Invest Dermatol, 32, 163–164, 1962

    Google Scholar 

  37. Ortonne JP, MacDonald DM, Micoud A, Thivolet J. PUVA induced repigmentation of vitiligo: histoenzymological (split dopa) and ultrastructural study. Br J Dermatol, 101, 1–13, 1979

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  38. Ortonne JP, Schmitt D, Thivolet J. PUVA induced repigmentation of vitiligo. Scanning electron microscopy of hair follicles. J Invest Dermatol, 74, 40–42, 1980

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  39. Ortonne JP, Benedetto JP. Mélanocytes épidermiques et mélanocytes folliculaires. Ann Genet Sel Anim, 13, 17–26, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  40. Mosher DB, Fitzpatrick TB, Ortonne JP. Abnormalities of pigmentation. In Dermatology in General Medicine. (Fitzpatrick TB, Eisen AZ, Wolff K, Freedberg IM, Austen KF, eds), pp. 568–629. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1979

    Google Scholar 

  41. Surleve-Bazeille JE, Gauthier Y. Fate of non-tumorous melanocytes injected within the dermis. Annual experimental study. Pigment Cell Research (in press)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Sugyiama S, Kukita A. melanocyte reservoir in the hair follicles during the hair growth cycle: an electron microscopic study. In Biology and Diseases of the Hair. (Kobori T, Montagna T, eds), pp. 181–200. Baltimore: University Park Press, 1976

    Google Scholar 

  43. Chase HB, Rauch H. Greying of hair. II. Response of individual hairs in mice to variations in X-irradiation. J Morphol, 87, 381–392, 1950

    Article  Google Scholar 

  44. Taylor AC. Survival of rat skin and changes in hair pigmentation following freezing. J Exp Zool, 110, 77–112, 1949

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  45. Voulot C. Mise en évidence d’une mélanisation des bulbes pileux au cours du phénomène d’extension pigmentaire. CRAcad Sci Paris, 262, 2646–2649, 1966

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  46. Inaba M, Anthony J, McKinstry C. Histologic study of the regeneration of axillary hair after removal with subcutaneous tissue shaver. J Invest Dermatol, 72, 224–231, 1979

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  47. Pepper FJ. Pigmentation in a white haired region of the hooded rat as a result of cell transplantation. J Morphol, 98, 367–387, 1956

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Toda K, Pathak MA, Parrish JA, Fitzpatrick TB. Alteration of racial differences in melanosome distribution in human epidermis after exposure to ultraviolet light. Nature, 236, 143–145, 1972

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  49. Potten CS. The X-irradiation of melanocyte precursor cell in resting hair follicles. In Pigmentation, Its Genesis and Biologic Control. (Riley V, ed), pp. 433–440. New York Appleton Century Crofts, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  50. Silver AF, Chase HB, Potten CS. melanocyte precursor cell in the hair follicle germ during the dormant stage (telogen). Faperientia, 25, 299–301, 1968

    Article  Google Scholar 

  51. Jimbow K, Quevedo WC Jr, Fitzpatrick TB, Szabo G. Some aspects of melanin biology 1950–1975. J Invest Dermatol, 67, 72–89, 1976

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  52. Snell RS. Hormonal control of hair color. In Pigmentation: its Genesis and Biologic Control. (Riley V, ed), pp. 193–205. New York: Appleton Century Crofts, 1972

    Google Scholar 

  53. Kinebuchi S, Kobori T, Hori Y. Behavior of melanosomes in melanocytes and keratinocytes of Japanese skin and Black hair. In Biology of Normal and Abnormal Melaiocytes. (Kawamura T, Fitzpatrick TB, Seiji M, eds), pp. 191–208. Tokyo: University of Tokyo Press, 1971

    Google Scholar 

  54. Ortonne JP, Mosher DB, Fitzpatrick TB. Vitiligo and Other Hypomelanoses of Hair and Skin. (Monograph). New York: Plenum Press, 1983

    Google Scholar 

  55. Ortonne JP, Thivolet J. Hair melanin and hair color. In Hair Research, Status and Future Aspects. (Orfanos C, Montagna G, Stüttgen G, eds), pp. 146–162. Berlin: Springer, 1981

    Google Scholar 

  56. Ito S, Jimbow K. Quantitative analysis of eumelanin and pheomelanin in hair and melanomas. J Invest Dennatol, 80, 268–272, 1983

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  57. Jimbow K, Ishida O, Takahashi H, Ito S. Hair color and type of melanogenesis in human hair: characterization based on chemical analysis of eumelanin and pheomelanin and ultrastructural analysis of melanosome structure. In Structure and Function of Melanin. (Jimbow K, ed.),1, 26–36, 1984

    Google Scholar 

  58. Jimbow K, Ishida O, Ito S, Hori Y, Witkop CJ, King RA. Combined chemical and electron microscopic studies of pheomelanosomes in human red hair. J Invest Dermatol, 81, 506–511, 1983

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  59. Lloyd T, Garry FL, Manders EK, Marks JG. The effect of age and hair colour on human hair bulb tyrosinase activity. Br J Dermatol, 116, 485–489, 1987

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  60. Townsend D, Olds DP, King RA. Dopa-oxidase activity in human hairbulbs measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. J Invest Dermatol, 86, 570–572, 1986

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Dermatology, Hôpital Pasteur, BP No. 9, 06002, Nice Cedex, France

    J.-P. Ortonne

Authors
  1. J.-P. Ortonne
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Occupational Dermatology Unit, Catholic University of Louvain, Bruxelles, Belgium

    D. Van Neste , J. M. Lachapelle  & J. L. Antoine ,  & 

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1989 Kluwer Academic Publishers

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Ortonne, JP. (1989). Non-keratinocyte cells in hair follicles (with special emphasis to human hair follicles). In: Van Neste, D., Lachapelle, J.M., Antoine, J.L. (eds) Trends in Human Hair Growth and Alopecia Research. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7873-0_9

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-7873-0_9

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-011-7875-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-011-7873-0

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation