Age-Related Changes in Human Scalp Extracellular Matrix: Implications for the Hair Follicle
September 2017
TLDR Older women's scalp cells show changes that could contribute to hair thinning.
The study, conducted 6 years ago, aimed to identify age-related changes in the gene expression of 12 extracellular matrix (ECM) associated biomarkers in female scalp dermal fibroblasts (DFs). The researchers established primary cultures from the scalp of 12 women aged 19-81 years. They found that DFs from women over 40 years showed similar mRNA expression of certain ECM proteins compared to women under 40. However, MMP-1 mRNA expression was higher in older women, while the expression of collagen XVI, hyaluronic acid synthase type 2, versican, and protease nexin-1 was significantly lower. These age-related changes in the ECM of scalp DFs may significantly impact the maintenance of the scalp anagen hair follicle, potentially contributing to hair loss or thinning with age.
