TLDR Androgens may cause hair loss by increasing TGF-beta1 from scalp cells, which inhibits hair cell growth.
In a study from 2002, researchers developed an in vitro coculture system using human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) from individuals with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and keratinocytes (KCs) to investigate the role of androgens in hair growth. Initially, androgens did not affect KC growth when cocultured with AGA DPCs. However, after transiently transfecting DPCs with an androgen receptor (AR) expression vector, androgen treatment resulted in a significant 50% suppression of KC growth. This suppression was linked to an increase in TGF-beta1 mRNA expression and secretion in DPCs induced by androgen. The growth inhibition effect was reversed by a neutralizing anti-TGF-beta1 antibody in a dose-dependent manner. These results indicate that TGF-beta1, stimulated by androgens in DPCs from AGA patients, may play a role in inhibiting epithelial cell growth, shedding light on the complex effects of androgens on human hair growth.
Cited in this study
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30 citations
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June 2000 in “Journal of dermatological science” Human keratinocytes do not naturally respond to androgens.
63 citations
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November 1999 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement” Hair sensitivity to androgens is partly controlled by specific enzyme expressions in different hair areas.
227 citations
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January 1998 in “Journal of Endocrinology” Cells from balding scalps have more androgen receptors than cells from non-balding scalps.
33 citations
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January 1997 in “Endocrinology” Testosterone can slow down hair growth when combined with certain cells from bald scalps, and this effect can be blocked by an androgen receptor blocker.
173 citations
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July 1995 in “Biochemical and biophysical research communications” Male hormones promote hair cell growth by using a growth factor from nearby skin cells.
124 citations
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April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.
53 citations
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May 1986 in “Clinics in endocrinology and metabolism” Androgens like testosterone affect hair growth and oil production differently across body parts and individuals.
January 2022 in “Journal of St. Marianna University” Substances from human hair cells can affect hair loss-related genes, potentially leading to new treatments for baldness.
15 citations
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May 2014 in “Experimental Dermatology” Scientists developed a system to study human hair growth using skin cells, which could help understand hair development and improve skin substitutes for medical use.
321 citations
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January 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Dermal cells are key in controlling hair growth and could potentially be used in hair loss treatments, but more research is needed to improve hair regeneration methods.
January 2003 in “Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery” Dermal papilla cells can help form hair follicles and produce hair.
66 citations
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August 2001 in “Experimental Dermatology” Human hair follicle cells can grow hair when put into mouse skin if they stay in contact with mouse cells.
57 citations
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November 1998 in “Wound Repair and Regeneration” Hair papilla cells can create and regenerate hair bulbs under the right conditions.