Immunohistochemical Patterns in the Interfollicular Caucasian Scalps: Influences of Age, Gender, and Alopecia

Abstract

Skin ageing and gender influences on the scalp have been seldom studied. We revisited the changes in the interfollicular scalp. The study was performed on a population of 650 volunteers (300 women and 350 men) for over 7 years. Three age groups were selected in both genders, namely, subjects aged 20–35, 50–60, and 60–70 years. The hair status was further considered according to nonalopecic and alopecic patterns and severity (discrete, moderate, and severe). Biopsies from the parietal area were processed for immunohistochemistry. Stromal cells were distinguished according to the presence of vimentin, Factor XIIIa, CD117, and versican. Blood and lymphatic vessels were highlighted by Ulex europaeus agglutinin-1 and human podoplanin immunoreactivities, respectively. Actinic elastosis was identified by the lysozyme coating of elastic fibres. The epidermis was explored using the CD44 variant 3 and Ki67 immunolabellings. Biplot analyses were performed. Immunohistochemistry revealed a prominent gender effect in young adults. Both Factor XIIIa+ dermal dendrocytes and the microvasculature size decreased with scalp ageing. Alopecia changes mimicked stress-induced premature senescence.

Quantitating the lateral skin stiffness by a new and versatile electro‐mechanical instrument. Preliminary studies

“…With age, as described by previous works (carried out on Caucasian subjects), the human scalp undergoes epidermal and dermal changes, leading to progressive thickening of SC and epidermis together with a denser and reticulated dermis, all concurring to establish a more rigid scalp skin structure . These changes were shown amplified during the development of alopecia . Altogether, our own data on scalp appear in agreement with these quoted works and seem paving the road toward future evaluations of scalp‐care dedicated products.…”

Revisiting the Cutaneous Impact of Oral Hormone Replacement Therapy

“…The interstitial extracellular matrix present between collagen bundles contains a mixture of hyaluronic acid, versican, and other glycosaminoglycans [ 39 ]. Dermal water is bound to these hydrophilic compounds.…”

Changes in epidermal morphology associated with dandruff

“…The number of Ki67‐positive epidermal cells was counted and there was no significant difference in the number when comparing male to female subjects. There was a significant reduction in Ki67‐positive epidermal keratinocytes of 22% in old males compared to young males and a 19% reduction in old females compared to young females . The subjects in our dandruff study were age‐matched so the differences in Ki67 expression we observed cannot be attributed to age.…”

“…It is a well‐established histological marker of proliferating cells often used in the analysis of skin epithelial tumours . The expression of Ki67 has been evaluated in human scalp skin previously, but only in relation to skin ageing .…”