I figure there are 3 main evolutionary/logical reasons for hair (particularly on the top of the head).
1. Protect against sun exposure.
2. Protect against cold.
3. Sexual selection.
Here I am focused on #2
So I just looked up to see if there was any research for HSPs when it comes to hair growth.
I have only found about 3 related articles.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16635662
Expression of the heat shock protein-27 in the adult human scalp skin and hair follicle: hair cycle-dependent changes
CONCLUSIONS:Our investigation reports, for the first time, the expression patterns of HSP27 in human scalp skin and HF. The differential expression of HSP27 during HF cycling suggests its possible roles in human HF biology.
https://www.researchgate.net/publicatio ... air_cycle-dependent_expression_of_heat_shock_proteins_in_hair_follicle_epithelium
Conclusions These observations suggest that the synthesis of HSPs by hair bulb keratinocytes is related to the anagen-catagen transformation of the follicle, possibly reflecting keratinocyte apoptosis and/or terminal differentiation in the regressing, cycling portion of the follicle. In addition, the rather proximal localization of HSP expression makes it unlikely that the HSPs examined interact with the more distally located intrafollicular γ/δ T-cell receptor-positive lymphocytes.
And then another study about HSP's being protective for the hair follicles in the ear canal to protect and help hearing.
Heat Shock Proteins seem to be a broad category for molecules that are produced during temperature, UV, or other stresses and assist in folding proteins. Can anyone perhaps shed some light on this specific topic with some thoughts (no pun intended)?