FGF5

FGF5 is a 268 amino acid, 29.1 kDa protein, which also naturally occurs as a 123 amino acid isoform splice variant (FGF5s).[6][7] FGF5 is produced in the outer root sheath of the hair follicle as well as perifollicular macrophages, with maximum expression occurring in the late anagen phase of the hair cycle.[8][9] The receptor for FGF5, FGFR1, is largely expressed in the dermal papilla cells of the hair follicle.[8][9] The alternatively spliced isoform FGF5s, has been identified as an antagonist of FGF5 in a number of studies.[6][7][10]

Research comparing different breeds of dogs has demonstrated FGF5 as a major contributing factor in coat length.

The only described function of FGF5 in adults is in the regulation of the hair cycle. FGF5 performs a critical role in the hair cycle, where it acts as the key signalling molecule in initiating the transition from the anagen (growth) phase to the catagen (regression) phase.[11][12] Evidence of this activity was initially gathered via targeted disruption of the homolog of the FGF5 gene in mice, which resulted in a phenotype with abnormally long hair.[12]

In numerous genetic studies of long haired phenotypes of animals it has been shown that small changes in the FGF5 gene can disrupt its expression, leading to an increase in the length of the anagen phase of the hair cycle, resulting in phenotypes with extremely long hair. This has been demonstrated in many species, including cats,[13][14] dogs,[15][16] mice,[12] rabbits,[17] donkeys,[18] sheep and goats,[19] where it is often referred to as the angora mutation. Recently, CRISPR modification of goats to artificially knock out the FGF5 gene, was shown to result in higher wool yield, without any fertility or other negative effects on the goats.[20]

It has been hypothesised that, in an alternate type of mutation, positive selection for increased expression of the FGF5 protein was one of the contributing factors in the evolutionary loss of hair in cetaceans as they transitioned from the terrestrial to the aquatic environment.[21]

FGF5 also affects the hair cycle in humans. Individuals with mutations in FGF5 exhibit familial trichomegaly, a condition that involves a significant increase in the portion of anagen phase hair as well as extremely long eyelashes.[11] FGF5 has also been identified as a potentially important factor in androgenetic alopecia. In 2017, a large genome wide association study of men with early onset androgenetic alopecia identified polymorphisms in FGF5 as having a strong association with male pattern hair loss.[22]

Blocking FGF5 in the human scalp extends the hair cycle, resulting in less hair fall, faster hair growth rate and increased hair growth.[23][24] In vitro methods using engineered cell lines and FGFR1 expressing dermal papilla cells have identified a number of naturally derived botanical isolates including Sanguisorba officnalis,[23] and single molecule members of the monoterpenoid family[24] as inhibitors (blockers) of FGF5. Clinical studies have shown that topical application of formulations containing these natural extracts and molecules are beneficial in men and women experiencing hair loss.[23][24]