VEGFR-2 Is in a State of Activation in Hair Follicles, Sebaceous Glands, Eccrine Sweat Glands, and Epidermis from Human Scalp: An In Situ Immunohistochemistry Study of Phosphorylated VEGFR-2

Med Sci Monit Basic Res. 2019 Mar 28:25:107-112. doi: 10.12659/MSMBR.914570.

Abstract

BACKGROUND Recent research reports that VEGFR-2 is expressed in the whole hair follicle, sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and epidermis. However, phosphorylated VEGFR-2 was not found, and it could not be ascertained whether the activated form of VEGFR-2 actually participates in the biological control of epidermal appendages. In this study we aimed to determine whether the VEGFR-2 pathway is directly involved in the daily regulation of epidermal appendages biology. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this study, we investigated the expression of phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 by immunohistochemical analysis in the epidermis and epidermal appendages in normal human scalp skin. RESULTS Immunohistochemical analysis revealed phosphorylation of VEGFR-2 in a whole hair follicle, mainly in the infundibulum basal layer, hair cortex, and medulla in the isthmus, and matrix in the hair bulb. Phosphorylated VEGFR-2 also was found in the sebaceous glands, eccrine sweat glands, and epidermis. CONCLUSIONS Therefore, we suggest that VEGFR-2 activation is involved in routine regulation of human epidermal appendages.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Eccrine Glands / cytology
  • Eccrine Glands / metabolism*
  • Epidermis / metabolism*
  • Hair Follicle / cytology
  • Hair Follicle / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Phosphorylation
  • Scalp / cytology
  • Scalp / metabolism*
  • Sebaceous Glands / cytology
  • Sebaceous Glands / metabolism*
  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / metabolism*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2