Fig. 1. Expression of Msx1 and Msx2. Wild-type ICR pups were sacrificed at indicated time-points and their skin harvested, sectioned and hybridized to ³⁵S-labeled Msx1 or Msx2 cRNA probes. Msx1 and Msx2 are initially co-expressed in the developing hair follicle. Expression of Msx1 is limited to the matrix cells (A,C) and its expression disappears during catagen (E). Msx2 expression in the hair follicle is more dynamic: first it is expressed only in the matrix and precortical cells, then it is expanded into the hair cortex and medulla (B,D). Msx2 continues to be expressed during catagen, when Msx1 expression is no longer expressed (E,F). Scale bar: 50 µm. (G) A schematic diagram of hair follicle structures and the hair cycle. During anagen, germinative matrix cells proliferate to generate progenitor cells, which receive signals from the dermal papilla to differentiate into either hair shaft cells or inner root sheath cells. During catagen, hair production ceases and hair follicle degenerates to form a club hair. During telogen, hair follicle rests and at the end of telogen, dermal papilla at the base of the hair follicle interact with the adjacent bulge region to initiate the second round of hair follicle morphogenesis. IRS, inner root sheath; ORS, outer root sheath; HF, hair follicle.