Baldness study

[Tricia]

These things always include mice ..........

Mice might provide the reason for baldness
MANCHESTER, England, Aug. 29 (UPI) -- British scientists say they may have discovered why some people are hairier than others, as well as new information about baldness.

The University of Manchester team has discovered the molecular processes that decide which embryonic skin cells will form into hair follicles, determining the body's hair pattern.

The findings in mice will be of interest to scientists looking at male-pattern baldness, but have more direct implications for people who suffer from ectodermal dysplasia -- a range of conditions in which skin cells fail to develop into other tissue, including hair follicles.

"During human development, skin cells have the ability to turn into other types of cells to form hair follicles, sweat glands, teeth and nails," said Dr. Denis Headon, who led the research. "Which cells are transformed into hair follicles is determined by three proteins that are produced by our genes."

The team found that cells given the genetic command to become hair follicles will send out signals to neighboring cells to prevent them from doing likewise, so producing a specific hair pattern.

"The research ... could provide clues as to why follicles shrink and hair growth diminishes in certain men as they get older," said Headon.