"Groundbreaking Discovery Unveils Hidden Human Sense of Touch"
Scientists from Imperial College London have discovered that hair follicles have touch-sensitive receptors, in addition to nerve endings in the skin. Using RNA sequencing, the researchers found that cells in the outer root sheath of hair follicles had a higher percentage of touch-sensitive receptors. When these cells were mechanically stimulated, sensory nerves were activated, indicating that touch had been registered. The experiments also revealed the release of neurotransmitters serotonin and histamine by the hair follicle cells, potentially opening up new avenues for research into skin diseases such as eczema. The findings shed light on the intricate biological interaction between hair follicle cells and low-threshold mechanoreceptors, raising questions about the specific role of hair follicles in processing light touch.