Alkaline Ceramidase 1 Protects Mice from Premature Hair Loss by Maintaining the Homeostasis of Hair Follicle Stem Cells

October 2017 in “ Stem Cell Reports ”

Chih‐Li Lin, Ruijuan Xu, Jae Kyo Yi, Fang Li, Jiang Chen, Evan Jones, Jordan B. Slutsky, Liqun Huang, Basil Rigas, Jian Cao, Xiaoming Zhong, Ashley J. Snider, Lina M. Obeid, Yusuf A. Hannun, Cungui Mao

Alkaline Ceramidase 1 ACER1 hair follicle stem cells HFSCs ceramide metabolism ceramide hair follicle cycling hair follicles lipid accumulation

TLDR Alkaline Ceramidase 1 prevents early hair loss in mice by keeping hair follicle stem cells balanced.

The study demonstrated that Alkaline Ceramidase 1 (ACER1) was crucial for maintaining the homeostasis of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and preventing premature hair loss in mice by regulating ceramide metabolism. Mice lacking the Acer1 gene showed increased ceramide levels, leading to HFSC depletion, disrupted hair follicle cycling, and progressive hair loss. The absence of ACER1 resulted in morphological changes in hair follicles, lipid accumulation, and impaired hair structure and function. The research highlighted the importance of ACER1 in regulating ceramide metabolism and maintaining HFSC homeostasis, suggesting its potential as a target for treating hair loss conditions.

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