3D Spheroid Human Dermal Papilla Cell as an Effective Model for the Screening of Hair Growth Promoting Compounds: Examples of Minoxidil and 3,4,5-Tri-O-Caffeoylquinic Acid (TCQA)

The study demonstrates that 3D spheroid cultures of human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) are more effective than 2D cultures for screening hair growth-promoting compounds, specifically minoxidil and 3,4,5-Tri-O-Caffeoylquinic Acid (TCQA). The 3D model better mimics the in vivo environment, enhancing cell-cell and cell-ECM interactions, and upregulating hair growth-associated genes. Minoxidil and TCQA treatments in the 3D system significantly upregulated pathways related to hair growth, cell adhesion, and collagen production, while downregulating genes linked to inflammation and cell division. These findings suggest that 3D spheroid cultures provide a more accurate and efficient platform for evaluating potential hair growth treatments.