Adenosine stimulates growth of dermal papilla and lengthens the anagen phase by increasing the cysteine level via fibroblast growth factors 2 and 7 in an organ culture of mouse vibrissae hair follicles

This study investigated the effects of adenosine on hair follicles and dermal papilla (DP) cells, revealing that adenosine stimulated DP cell proliferation and extended the anagen phase of hair growth by increasing cysteine uptake in mouse vibrissae hair follicles. Adenosine also promoted the expression of growth factors such as FGF-2, FGF-7, IGF-1, and VEGF, and increased β-catenin transcriptional activation, which is crucial for hair follicle morphogenesis and differentiation. Additionally, adenosine activated downstream signaling pathways, including ERK, CREB, and AKT, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for hair growth by enhancing growth factor expression and signaling pathways.