TLDR Hair loss in certain young mice is linked to a specific gene and can be caused by lack of iron.
The study found that alopecia in IL-10-deficient mouse pups is c-kit-dependent and can be triggered by iron deficiency. Alopecia was observed in 18% of first litters from IL-10-deficient females, with all pups in affected litters showing hair loss by postnatal days 17-19. The condition was associated with distorted hair follicles, broken hair shafts, and increased numbers of activated mast cells. Hair regrowth began after weaning, suggesting lactation-related factors. A maternal iron-restricted diet increased alopecia incidence to 100% in pups with mast cells, but mast cell-deficient pups did not develop alopecia. Genetic or pharmacologic inhibition of c-kit prevented hair loss, indicating mast cells' crucial role in alopecia development. Pups with alopecia had lower hemoglobin and hematocrit levels, and the study suggests further research to understand the mechanisms and relevance to human alopecia.
19 citations,
February 2008 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Mast cells might contribute to hair loss by causing skin thickening.
159 citations,
December 2007 in “American Journal of Pathology” Stress-related substance P may lead to hair loss and negatively affect hair growth.
205 citations,
August 2007 in “Experimental Cell Research” Stem cell niches are crucial for regulating stem cell renewal and differentiation, and understanding them can help in developing regenerative therapies.
102 citations,
July 2007 in “Genes & Development” A mother's PPARγ is crucial for preventing harmful milk that can cause inflammation and growth problems in babies.
31 citations,
April 2007 in “Experimental Dermatology” Stress in mice delays hair growth and treatments blocking substance P can partly reverse this effect.
207 citations,
April 2006 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” Iron deficiency may be related to hair loss, but there's not enough evidence to recommend iron screening or supplements for all hair loss patients.
1113 citations,
August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.
January 2020 in “Egyptian Journal of Dermatology and Venereology” People with alopecia have shorter hair follicles and more c-kit, a stem cell factor receptor, which could predict how the condition progresses.
4 citations,
July 2013 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Pregnancy right after giving birth in mice lacking IL-10 causes milk that leads to liver issues and hair loss in their babies.
1 citations,
September 2013 in “Elsevier eBooks” Hair ages and thins due to factors like inflammation and stress, and treatments like antioxidants and hormones might improve hair health.
16 citations,
December 2006 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Hair follicles are essential for skin health, aiding in hair growth, wound healing, and immune function.
91 citations,
August 2015 in “Anais Brasileiros De Dermatologia” Female Pattern Hair Loss affects women's self-esteem and needs more research for better treatment.
