Adenosine Promotes Human Hair Growth and Inhibits Catagen Transition In Vitro: Role of the Outer Root Sheath Keratinocytes

The study found that adenosine promotes human hair growth and inhibits the transition to the catagen phase in vitro by acting on adenosine receptors expressed in human hair follicles, particularly in the outer root sheath keratinocytes. Adenosine enhances hair shaft elongation, increases intrafollicular proliferation, and prolongs the anagen phase. It also prevents the effect of TGFß2, which is a marker of hair cycle-staging. The study suggests that adenosine may have potential as a hair growth-promoting agent and could be a potential therapeutic target for hair loss-associated diseases.