HOXC13 and HSP27 Expression in Skin and the Periodic Growth of Secondary Fiber Follicles from Longdong Cashmere Goats Raised in Different Production Systems

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to identify periodic changes in secondary follicles (SFs) over one year of extensive (grazed) and intensive (housed and fed supplement) farming of Longdong cashmere goats. One-year old goats (n = 24, 12 extensively fed and 12 intensively fed) were studied. The diameter, depth, density, activity, and ultra-structural features of SFs were assessed using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. HOXC13 and HSP27 expression were studied using immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence method. The anagen stage in the extensively grazed goats was from April to September, but was longer (April to October) in the housed, supplementary fed group. The depth and activity of the SF in anagen and catagen differed (P < 0.05) between the groups. HSP27 and HOXC13 protein were present in both the epidermis and dermis, with HSP27 immunoreactivity highest in the hair shaft (HS), outer root sheath (ORS) and inner root sheath (IRS). HOXC13 expression was prominent in both the eprdermis and ORS. HSP27 and HOXC13 expression were prominent during anagen, and less so during catagen and telogen. In anagen, HSP27 expression in the HS, IRS, and ORS of the extensively fed group was higher than in the intensively fed group (p < 0.05). In contrast, HOXC13 expression in HS, IRS and ORS of the extensively fed group was lower than in the intensively fed group (P < 0.05). This suggests the growth of cashmere is influenced by nutrition and that housed goats could be used in cashmere production. Anat Rec, 301:742-752, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Altered Hypoxia-Induced and Heat Shock Protein Immunostaining in Secondary Hair Follicles Associated with Changes in Altitude and Temperature in Tibetan Cashmere Goats

“…This suggests hypoxia and low environmental temperature could delay entry of the SF into the anagen stage. These results support previous studies that suggested growth of SFs is influenced by the sunshine period and environmental temperature [21,26]. They also suggest that a warm environment and lower altitude may promote the growth of cashmere down fiber.…”

“…HSP27 has previously been shown to be expressed in the epidermis [28][29][30] with levels of expression of this protein increasing with increased epidermal differentiation and trichilemmal keratinization [20]. A study of cashmere goats revealed that HSP27 protein expression may be influenced by the level of nutrition and, therefore, this protein may allow adaptation to adverse environment conditions [21]. In the present study, it was shown that HSP27 was present in all layers of the SFs, and the expression of HSP27 in Rikaze was higher than them in Huan County.…”

“…This suggests that HSP27 expression in SFs may be influenced by environment stress. HOXC13 expression has been shown to be associated with goat hair follicle formation and hair growth [21,22], with protein expression correlated with cashmere goat skin thickness [24]. In addition, the expression of HOXC13 appeared to be correlated to the activity of the SF, suggesting a role of this protein in stimulating new hair follicle development [21].…”

“…HOXC13 expression has been shown to be associated with goat hair follicle formation and hair growth [21,22], with protein expression correlated with cashmere goat skin thickness [24]. In addition, the expression of HOXC13 appeared to be correlated to the activity of the SF, suggesting a role of this protein in stimulating new hair follicle development [21]. In the present research, it was found that HOCX13 was mainly present in the ORS, and the expression was higher in goats from lower, hotter places than in goats from a harsher environment.…”

“…Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27) regulates actin polymerization [18] and has been found to be expressed more in anagen hair follicles than in telogen hair follicles [19] and expression of this protein is also correlated to epidermal differentiation in human skin [20]. In addition, in Longdong cashmere goats, HSP27 immunostaining in secondary hair follicles was found to be different in extensively fed animals compared to those that were in an intensively fed group [21].…”