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Chen XW, Ni N, Xie XJ, Zhao YL, Liang WZ, Huang YX, Lin CM. Sympathetic Reinnervation of Intact and Upper Follicle Xenografts into BALB/c-nu/nu Mice. Life (Basel) 2023; 13:2163. [PMID: 38004304 PMCID: PMC10672584 DOI: 10.3390/life13112163] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing concerns about hair loss affect people's quality of life. Recent studies have found that sympathetic nerves play a positive role in regulating hair follicle stem cell activity to promote hair growth. However, no study has investigated sympathetic innervation of transplanted follicles. Rat vibrissa follicles were extracted and implanted under the dorsal skin of BALB/c-nu/nu mice using one of two types of follicles: (1) intact follicles, where transplants included bulbs, and (2) upper follicles, where transplants excluded bulbs. Follicular samples were collected for hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunofluorescence staining for tyrosine hydroxylase (TH, a sympathetic marker) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. At 37 days after implantation in both groups, follicles had entered anagen, with the growth of long hair shafts; tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive nerves were innervating follicles (1.45-fold); and norepinephrine concentrations (2.03-fold) were significantly increased compared to 5 days, but did not return to normal. We demonstrate the survival of intact and upper follicle xenografts and the partial restoration of sympathetic reinnervations of both transplanted follicles.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chang-Min Lin
- Department of Histology and Embryology, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou 515041, China; (X.-W.C.); (N.N.); (X.-J.X.); (Y.-L.Z.); (W.-Z.L.); (Y.-X.H.)
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2
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Dougill G, Brassey CA, Starostin EL, Andrews H, Kitchener A, van der Heijden GHM, Goss VGA, Grant RA. Describing whisker morphology of the Carnivora. J Morphol 2023; 284:e21628. [PMID: 37585221 DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21628] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
One of the largest ecological transitions in carnivoran evolution was the shift from terrestrial to aquatic lifestyles, which has driven morphological diversity in skulls and other skeletal structures. In this paper, we investigate the association between those lifestyles and whisker morphology. However, comparing whisker morphology over a range of species is challenging since the number of whiskers and their positions on the mystacial pads vary between species. Also, each whisker will be at a different stage of growth and may have incurred damage due to wear and tear. Identifying a way to easily capture whisker morphology in a small number of whisker samples would be beneficial. Here, we describe individual and species variation in whisker morphology from two-dimensional scans in red fox, European otter and grey seal. A comparison of long, caudal whiskers shows inter-species differences most clearly. We go on to describe global whisker shape in 24 species of carnivorans, using linear approximations of curvature and taper, as well as traditional morphometric methods. We also qualitatively examine surface texture, or the presence of scales, using scanning electron micrographs. We show that gross whisker shape is highly conserved, with whisker curvature and taper obeying simple linear relationships with length. However, measures of whisker base radius, length, and maybe even curvature, can vary between species and substrate preferences. Specifically, the aquatic species in our sample have thicker, shorter whiskers that are smoother, with less scales present than those of terrestrial species. We suggest that these thicker whiskers may be stiffer and able to maintain their shape and position during underwater sensing, but being stiffer may also increase wear.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Dougill
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Charlotte A Brassey
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Eugene L Starostin
- School of Engineering, London South Bank University, London, UK
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Hayley Andrews
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Andrew Kitchener
- Department of Natural Sciences, National Museums Scotland, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Gert H M van der Heijden
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, London, UK
| | - Victor G A Goss
- School of Engineering, London South Bank University, London, UK
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Faculty of Science and Engineering, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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Mynett N, Mossman HL, Huettner T, Grant RA. Diversity of vibrissal follicle anatomy in cetaceans. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 305:609-621. [PMID: 34288543 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Most cetaceans are born with vibrissae but they can be lost or reduced in adulthood, especially in odontocetes. Despite this, some species of odontocetes have been found to have functioning vibrissal follicles (including the follicle itself and any remaining vibrissal hair shaft) that play a role in mechanoreception, proprioception and electroreception. This reveals a greater diversity of vibrissal function in odontocetes than in any other mammalian group. However, we know very little about vibrissal follicle form and function across the Cetacea. Here, we qualitatively describe the gross vibrissal follicle anatomy of fetuses of three species of cetaceans, including two odontocetes: Atlantic white-sided dolphin (Lagenorhynchus acutus), harbour porpoise (Phocoena phocoena), and one mysticete: minke whale (Balaenoptera acutorostrata), and compared our findings to previous anatomical descriptions. All three species had few, short vibrissae contained within a relatively simple, single-part follicle, lacking in muscles. However, we observed differences in vibrissal number, follicle size and shape, and innervation distribution between the species. While all three species had nerve fibers around the follicles, the vibrissal follicles of Balaenoptera acutorostrata were innervated by a deep vibrissal nerve, and the nerve fibers of the odontocetes studied were looser and more branched. For example, in Lagenorhynchus acutus, branches of nerve fibers travelled parallel to the follicle, and innervated more superficial areas, rather than just the base. Our anatomical descriptions lend support to the observation that vibrissal morphology is diverse in cetaceans, and is worth further investigation to fully explore links between form and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Mynett
- Department of Natural Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Hannah L Mossman
- Department of Natural Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Tim Huettner
- Nuremberg Zoo, Nuremberg, Germany.,Institute of Biosciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Department of Natural Science, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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4
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Milne AO, Muchlinski MN, Orton LD, Sullivan MS, Grant RA. Comparing vibrissal morphology and infraorbital foramen area in pinnipeds. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2021; 305:556-567. [PMID: 34076956 DOI: 10.1002/ar.24683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 03/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Pinniped vibrissae are well-adapted to sensing in an aquatic environment, by being morphologically diverse and more sensitive than those of terrestrial species. However, it is both challenging and time-consuming to measure vibrissal sensitivity in many species. In terrestrial species, the infraorbital foramen (IOF) area is associated with vibrissal sensitivity and increases with vibrissal number. While pinnipeds are thought to have large IOF areas, this has not yet been systematically measured before. We investigated vibrissal morphology, IOF area, and skull size in 16 species of pinniped and 12 terrestrial Carnivora species. Pinnipeds had significantly larger skulls and IOF areas, longer vibrissae, and fewer vibrissae than the other Carnivora species. IOF area and vibrissal number were correlated in Pinnipeds, just as they are in terrestrial mammals. However, despite pinnipeds having significantly fewer vibrissae than other Carnivora species, their IOF area was not smaller, which might be due to pinnipeds having vibrissae that are innervated more. We propose that investigating normalized IOF area per vibrissa will offer an alternative way to approximate gross individual vibrissal sensitivity in pinnipeds and other mammalian species. Our data show that many species of pinniped, and some species of felids, are likely to have strongly innervated individual vibrissae, since they have high values of normalized IOF area per vibrissa. We suggest that species that hunt moving prey items in the dark will have more sensitive and specialized vibrissae, especially as they have to integrate between individual vibrissal signals to calculate the direction of moving prey during hunting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alyx O Milne
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK.,Events Team, Blackpool Zoo, Blackpool, UK
| | | | - Llwyd D Orton
- Department of Life Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Matthew S Sullivan
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
| | - Robyn A Grant
- Department of Natural Sciences, Manchester Metropolitan University, Manchester, UK
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Dougill G, Starostin EL, Milne AO, Heijden GHM, Goss VGA, Grant RA. Ecomorphology reveals Euler spiral of mammalian whiskers. J Morphol 2020; 281:1271-1279. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Revised: 06/17/2020] [Accepted: 07/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gary Dougill
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
| | - Eugene L. Starostin
- School of Engineering, London South Bank University London UK
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering University College London London UK
| | - Alyx O. Milne
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
| | - Gert H. M. Heijden
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering University College London London UK
| | | | - Robyn A. Grant
- Department of Natural Sciences Manchester Metropolitan University Manchester UK
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Innervation patterns of mystacial vibrissae support active touch behaviors in California sea lions (
Zalophus californianus
). J Morphol 2019; 280:1617-1627. [DOI: 10.1002/jmor.21053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2018] [Revised: 07/19/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
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Jones A, Marshall CD. Does Vibrissal Innervation Patterns and Investment Predict Hydrodynamic Trail Following Behavior of Harbor Seals (
Phoca vitulina
)? Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2019; 302:1837-1845. [DOI: 10.1002/ar.24134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2018] [Revised: 11/07/2018] [Accepted: 12/09/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Aubree Jones
- Department of Marine BiologyTexas A&M University Galveston Campus Galveston, Texas
| | - Christopher D. Marshall
- Department of Marine BiologyTexas A&M University Galveston Campus Galveston, Texas
- Department of Wildlife and Fisheries SciencesTexas A&M University College Station Texas
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Smodlaka H, Galex I, Palmer L, Borovac JA, Khamas WA. Ultrastructural, Sensory and Functional Anatomy of the Northern Elephant Seal (Mirounga angustirostris) Facial Vibrissae. Anat Histol Embryol 2017; 46:487-496. [DOI: 10.1111/ahe.12293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- H. Smodlaka
- Western University of Health Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; 309 E. Second Street Pomona CA 91766-1854 USA
| | - I. Galex
- Western University of Health Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; 309 E. Second Street Pomona CA 91766-1854 USA
| | - L. Palmer
- The Marine Mammal Care Center at Fort MacArthur; 3601 South Gaffey Street San Pedro CA 90731 USA
| | - J. A. Borovac
- School of Medicine; University of Split; Soltanska 2 21000 Split Croatia
| | - W. A. Khamas
- Western University of Health Sciences; College of Veterinary Medicine; 309 E. Second Street Pomona CA 91766-1854 USA
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