Researchers at Imperial College London have unveiled a new mechanism by which humans perceive touch, expanding our understanding of how the skin senses its environment. The discovery appears in a peer-reviewed chapter of Science Developments, and it shifts the long-held view that touch is detected only by nerve endings around hair follicles. The latest work shows that cells inside hair follicles themselves can sense stimulation and contribute to the sensation of touch.
Traditionally, scientists taught that the skin’s sensory network relied mainly on nerve endings located near the surface of the skin. The new findings reveal that hair follicle cells harbor a rich set of receptors capable of registering gentle contact. When these cells are stimulated, they release chemical messengers such as histamine and serotonin, which are known to participate in signaling between skin cells and nerves. This suggests a more complex picture in which hair follicles participate directly in touch perception rather than serving solely as passive structures surrounding hair growth.
To reach this conclusion, researchers analyzed RNA sequencing data from individual skin cells and from hair follicles. They found that hair follicle cells carry a greater proportion of sensory receptors compared with neighboring skin cells, hinting at their specialized role in tactile processing. In parallel experiments using skin cells without hair follicles, the cells did respond to light touch by releasing histamine, but did not release serotonin, underscoring a distinct function tied to follicle-associated cells.
Although the precise reasons for the involvement of hair follicle cells in light touch remain to be clarified, the study emphasizes a potential link between follicle activity and the activation of specific sensory nerve pathways. Researchers are now exploring whether these follicle-derived signals influence certain nerve types through a unique, not yet understood mechanism. The goal is to map how follicle cells and nerves communicate during subtle tactile experiences and what this means for how touch, sensation, and skin signaling are integrated at the molecular level.
Beyond basic science, the work carries implications for conditions where skin signaling is altered, such as eczema and other inflammatory skin diseases. By shedding light on how histamine and serotonin participate in skin sensation, the findings could inform future research into therapeutic strategies that modulate these pathways to alleviate symptoms or prune inflammatory responses. As the field advances, clinicians and researchers in North America and beyond may gain tools to interpret altered touch perception and to devise targeted treatments that address the sensory components of skin disorders, while improving patient quality of life.
Historically, curiosity about touch has driven diverse studies across species, from mammalian models to human tissues. The current findings contribute to a broader narrative about how the body interprets touch, including the possible role of hair follicles as active sensory hubs. As science continues to unravel these intricate signaling networks, the boundary between skin structure and nervous system function becomes increasingly nuanced, offering new avenues for investigation and potential clinical application.