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The arrector pili muscle, the bridge between the follicular stem cell niche and the interfollicular epidermis.
- Source :
-
Anatomical Science International . Jan2017, Vol. 92 Issue 1, p151-158. 8p. - Publication Year :
- 2017
-
Abstract
- Proximally, the arrector pili muscle (APM) attaches to the follicular stem cell niche in the bulge, but its distal properties are comparatively unclear. In this work, a novel method employing an F-actin probe, phalloidin, was employed to visualize the APM anatomy. Phalloidin staining of the APM was validated by comparison with conventional antibodies/stains and by generating three-dimensional reconstructions. The proximal attachment of the APM to the bulge in 8 patients with androgenic alopecia was studied using Masson's trichrome stain. Phalloidin visualized extensive branching of the APM. The distal end of the human APM exhibits a unique 'C'-shaped structure connecting to the dermal-epidermal junction. The proximal APM attachment was observed to be lost or extremely miniaturized in androgenic alopecia. The unique shape, location, and attachment sites of the APM suggest a significant role for this muscle in maintaining follicular integrity. Proximally, the APM encircles the follicular unit and only attaches to the primary hair follicle in the bulge; this attachment is lost in irreversible hair loss. The APM exhibits an arborized morphology as it ascends toward the epidermis, and anchors to the basement membrane. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Subjects :
- *STEM cells
*EPIDERMIS
*PHALLOIDINE
*ALOPECIA areata
*BASAL lamina
*BALDNESS
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 14476959
- Volume :
- 92
- Issue :
- 1
- Database :
- Academic Search Index
- Journal :
- Anatomical Science International
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 119974201
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s12565-016-0359-5