Hair follicle vascularization and innervation

Abstract

• Advances in immunohistochemical techniques and the development of antibodies specific for nerves, neuropeptides, lymphatics and endothelial cells have given investigators the opportunity to visualize all cutaneous nerves endothelial and endothelial-derived cells. • The use of confocal laser scanning microscopy offers additional sensitivity and the ability to view cutaneous structures in three dimensions. • The development of mouse mutants with functional deletions or overexpression of genes coding for neurotrophins, neuropeptides, their receptors, or endothelial cell proteins provides the tools for elucidating the significance of piloneural, piloendothelial or neuroendothelial interactions. • Neural/endothelial/ pilar interactions can now be examined with many different types of techniques. © 2008 Springer-Verlag.