Connexin 43 (Cx43), known to form gap junction transmembrane channels between the cytoplasm of two adjacent cells, plays a key role in physiological functions, such as regulating cell growth, differentiation, and maintaining tissue homeostasis. Cashmere goat is an important farm animal that provides cashmere, which was produced by secondary hair follicles (SHF), for human consumption; however, there is no report about the role of Cx43 on the growth and development of SHF in cashmere goat. In this study, we investigated the effect of Cx43 on proliferation secondary hair follicle dermal papilla cells (SHF-DPCs) in Albas cashmere goat. In SHF-DPCs, Cx43 overexpression promoted cell proliferation and upregulated the expression of IGF-1, whereas Cx43 knockdown was associated with the opposite effects. These results suggested that Cx43 may promote cell proliferation by inducing IGF-1. Overall, our research not only contributes to a better understanding of the mechanism of the growth and development of SHF in cashmere goat, but also shed light on cashmere quality control in the future.

连接蛋白43（Cx43），已知在两个相邻细胞的细胞质之间形成间隙连接跨膜通道，在生理功能中起关键作用，例如调节细胞生长，分化和维持组织稳态。羊绒山羊是一种重要的牲畜，它提供由次级毛囊（SHF）产生的羊绒供人类食用；然而，没有关于Cx43在羊绒山羊SHF生长发育中的作用的报道。在这项研究中，我们调查了Cx43对阿尔巴斯绒山羊的继发性毛囊真皮乳头细胞（SHF-DPC）增殖的影响。在SHF-DPC中，Cx43的过表达促进细胞增殖并上调IGF-1的表达，而Cx43的降低与相反的作用有关。这些结果表明Cx43可能通过诱导IGF-1促进细胞增殖。总体而言，我们的研究不仅有助于更好地了解绒山羊山羊SHF的生长和发育机理，而且为将来对绒山羊质量的控制提供了启示。