Therapy for Alopecia Areata in Mice by Stimulating the Hair Cycle with Parathyroid Hormone Agonists Linked to a Collagen-Binding Domain

The study investigated the effects of a parathyroid hormone analog, PTH-CBD, on hair growth in C3H/HeJ mice, a model for alopecia areata. PTH-CBD, which binds to collagen to prolong its retention in the skin, was found to significantly reduce hair loss in 62% of treated mice compared to 30% in the control group. The treatment increased the number of anagen hair follicles and beta-catenin production, which is crucial for initiating the anagen phase of the hair cycle. However, it did not alter the immune response, suggesting that PTH-CBD stimulates hair growth by directly affecting the hair cycle rather than modulating immunity. The study suggested that combining PTH-CBD with immune modulation therapy might enhance treatment efficacy.