Androgens Modify Wnt Agonists/Antagonists Expression Balance in Dermal Papilla Cells Preventing Hair Follicle Stem Cell Differentiation in Androgenetic Alopecia

This study from 2017 found that androgens, specifically DHT, can prevent hair follicle stem cell differentiation in androgenetic alopecia by modifying the balance of Wnt agonists/antagonists expression in dermal papilla cells. The study suggests that targeting the Wnt signaling pathway may be a potential therapeutic approach for AGA. The researchers found that androgens upregulated the expression of the Wnt-ligand antagonist Dkk-1 in DPC, while downregulating the expression of the Wnt agonists Wnt10b and Wnt5a. The study also found that DKK-1 could block the inductive action of DPC on HFSC differentiation, mimicking the effect of androgens.