Aging, Alopecia, and Stem Cells

February 2016 in “ Science ”

Mingxing Lei, Cheng‐Ming Chuong

hair follicle stem cell HFSC Foxc1 hair growth hair loss type XVII collagen stem cell self-renewal hair cycling dermal environment hormones alopecia treatments HFSC microenvironment HFSC rejuvenation collagen skin environment stem cell environment stem cell rejuvenation

Studysummary The document concludes that both internal stem cell factors and external influences like the environment and hormones affect hair loss and aging, with potential treatments focusing on these areas.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

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research Foxc1 Reinforces Quiescence in Self-Renewing Hair Follicle Stem Cells

142 citations , February 2016 in “Science”

This review discusses the role of Foxc1 and type XVII collagen in hair follicle stem cell quiescence and aging, identifying mechanisms that relate to hair thinning and hair loss, and reports no new results.

research Hair Follicle Aging Is Driven by Transepidermal Elimination of Stem Cells via COL17A1 Proteolysis

242 citations , February 2016 in “Science”

This research found that Foxc1 transcription factor and COL17A1 are critical in regulating quiescence and hair thinning in hair follicle stem cells, with aging-related DNA damage leading to hair loss.

research Regenerative Hair Waves in Aging Mice and Extra-Follicular Modulators Follistatin, Dkk1, and Sfrp4

75 citations , March 2014 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that aging mice experience slower and more fragmented hair cycle waves, but transplanting aged skin to a young host can partially restore hair cycling, implicating extracellular factors.

research Competitive Balance of Intrabulge BMP/Wnt Signaling Reveals a Robust Gene Network Ruling Stem Cell Homeostasis and Cyclic Activation

176 citations , January 2013 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

This study reveals an antagonistic competition between BMP and Wnt signaling within stem cells, influencing their fate towards hair germ characteristics based on the BMP/Wnt activity ratio.

Progressive Alopecia Reveals Decreasing Stem Cell Activation Probability During Aging of Mice with Epidermal Deletion of DNA Methyltransferase 1

research Progressive Alopecia Reveals Decreasing Stem Cell Activation Probability During Aging of Mice with Epidermal Deletion of DNA Methyltransferase 1

72 citations , July 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that mice with a specific loss of DNA methyltransferase 1 showed uneven epidermal thickness, reduced hair regeneration, and progressive alopecia, emphasizing DNA methylation's role in stem cell homeostasis.

research Physiological Regeneration of Skin Appendages and Implications for Regenerative Medicine

60 citations , April 2012 in “Physiology”

This article explores how extrafollicular environments and stem cell configurations influence hair and feather regeneration but provides no new experimental results.

research A Family Business: Stem Cell Progeny Join the Niche to Regulate Homeostasis

254 citations , January 2012 in “Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology”

This review discusses the role of stem cell progeny as integral components of stem cell niches, offering feedback that may influence different stem cell systems' microenvironments, but it presents no new research findings.

research Genome-Wide Maps of Histone Modifications Unwind In Vivo Chromatin States of the Hair Follicle Lineage

191 citations , September 2011 in “Cell stem cell”

This study found that polycomb-group-mediated repression plays a key role in regulating hair follicle stem cell states and lineage progression by distinct mechanisms in adult mouse skin.

research Hair Follicle Stem Cells Provide a Functional Niche for Melanocyte Stem Cells

283 citations , February 2011 in “Cell stem cell”

COL17A1 is crucial for preventing hair graying and loss by supporting hair and pigment stem cells.

Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

research Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

235 citations , January 2011 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia may involve a defect in the conversion of hair follicle stem cells to progenitor cells, as demonstrated by a reduced presence of progenitor cells in bald scalp samples.

research Wnt-Dependent De Novo Hair Follicle Regeneration in Adult Mouse Skin After Wounding

829 citations , May 2007 in “Nature”

Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.