Activation of Olfactory Receptor 2A4/7 by Cyclohexyl Salicylate Promotes Human Hair Follicle Growth
December 2022
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
olfactory receptor OR2A4/7 cyclohexyl salicylate hair follicle growth stem cell progeny expansion catagen development keratinocyte proliferation CD34+ cells CD71+ transit amplifying cells androgenetic alopecia telogen effluvium OR2A4/7 CHS hair growth stem cell expansion catagen phase keratinocyte growth CD34 cells CD71 cells male pattern baldness hair shedding
TLDR The fragrance cyclohexyl salicylate helps promote hair growth and increase hair stem cell numbers.
The study demonstrates that the olfactory receptor OR2A4/7, when stimulated by the synthetic fragrance cyclohexyl salicylate (CHS), promotes hair growth and expands the progeny of hair follicle epithelial stem cells. This was observed in organ-cultured scalp hair follicles, where treatment with CHS resulted in delayed catagen development and increased keratinocyte proliferation. Notably, the number of CD34+ cells and CD71+ transit amplifying cells, which are reduced in androgenetic alopecia, significantly increased. These findings suggest that CHS could be explored as a potential treatment for hair loss disorders associated with telogen effluvium and/or reduced hair follicle stem cell progeny expansion.
