Androgens trigger different growth responses in genetically identical human hair follicles in organ culture that reflect their epigenetic diversity in life
January 2018
in “The FASEB Journal”
TLDR Male hormones cause different growth in identical human hair follicles due to their unique epigenetic characteristics.
In a series of studies conducted between 2017 and 2018, researchers explored the effects of androgens on genetically identical human hair follicles, focusing on the epigenetic diversity that leads to different growth responses. They used hair follicles from healthy Caucasian women, with one study involving 22 women and others involving groups of 6 women with an average age around 59 years. The studies consistently found that intermediate facial hair follicles increased their growth in response to testosterone, a response mediated by androgen receptors, while terminal follicles did not respond to androgens. The intermediate follicles expressed approximately four times more androgen receptor gene than terminal follicles. These findings suggest that intermediate follicles could be a useful model for understanding androgen signaling and developing treatments for hormone-dependent conditions. The research also indicated the potential relevance of these findings to other areas such as developmental processes, stem cell manipulation, and tissue engineering.
View this study on faseb.onlinelibrary.wiley.com →
Cited in this study
research The Modulatable Stem Cell Niche: Tissue Interactions during Hair and Feather Follicle Regeneration
The document concludes that for hair and feather growth, it's better to target the environment around stem cells than the cells themselves.
research Aging, alopecia, and stem cells
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.
research Pioneer factors govern super-enhancer dynamics in stem cell plasticity and lineage choice
Super-enhancers controlled by pioneer factors like SOX9 are crucial for stem cell adaptability and identity.
research The Dermal Papilla: An Instructive Niche for Epithelial Stem and Progenitor Cells in Development and Regeneration of the Hair Follicle
The dermal papilla is crucial for hair growth and health, and understanding it could lead to new hair loss treatments.
research In vivo transcriptional governance of hair follicle stem cells by canonical Wnt regulators
Wnt signaling controls whether hair follicle stem cells stay inactive or regenerate hair.
research Microenvironmental reprogramming by three-dimensional culture enables dermal papilla cells to induce de novo human hair-follicle growth
Growing human skin cells in a 3D environment can stimulate new hair growth.
research Hair Transplantation Update
The document details hair transplantation techniques and innovations, highlighting Follicular Unit Transplantation as the standard and discussing the effectiveness and challenges of the procedure.
research The prostamide‐related glaucoma therapy, bimatoprost, offers a novel approach for treating scalp alopecias
Bimatoprost, a glaucoma medication, may also help treat hair loss.
research Androgens and hair: a biological paradox with clinical consequences
Androgens can both increase body hair and cause scalp hair loss.
research Physiological Regeneration of Skin Appendages and Implications for Regenerative Medicine
The document concludes that understanding hair and feather regeneration can help develop new regenerative medicine strategies.
research Clonal Growth of Dermal Papilla Cells in Hydrogels Reveals Intrinsic Differences between Sox2-Positive and -Negative Cells In Vitro and In Vivo
Sox2-positive dermal papilla cells have unique characteristics and contribute more to skin and hair follicle formation than Sox2-negative cells.
research Intermediate hair follicles: a new more clinically relevant model for hair growth investigations
Intermediate hair follicles are a better model for studying hair growth and testing hair loss treatments.
research From Telogen to Exogen: Mechanisms Underlying Formation and Subsequent Loss of the Hair Club Fiber
Hair shedding is an active process that could be targeted to treat hair loss.
research Androgens and hair growth
Androgens can both increase and decrease hair growth in different parts of the body.
research Human hair follicles contain two forms of ATP‐ sensitive potassium channels, only one of which is sensitive to minoxidil
One minoxidil-sensitive potassium channel exists in human hair follicles.
research Hormonal regulation of hair follicles exhibits a biological paradox
Androgens can both stimulate and cause hair loss, and understanding their effects is key to treating hair disorders.
research Cultured Peribulbar Dermal Sheath Cells Can Induce Hair Follicle Development and Contribute to the Dermal Sheath and Dermal Papilla
Certain cells from hair follicles can create new hair and contribute to hair growth when implanted in mice.
research Androgen receptors are only present in mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla cells of red deer (Cervus elaphus) neck follicles when raised androgens induce a mane in the breeding season
research The psychology of hair loss and its implications for patient care
Hair loss can significantly affect a person's self-esteem and body image, especially in young people, those who value their looks highly, and women.
research Expression of mRNA for androgen receptor, 5alpha-reductase and 17beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase in human dermal papilla cells
research Effects of Self-Perceived Hair Loss in a Community Sample of Men
Men who think they are losing hair feel worse about themselves, especially if they are younger.
research Balding hair follicle dermal papilla cells contain higher levels of androgen receptors than those from non-balding scalp
Cells from balding scalps have more androgen receptors than cells from non-balding scalps.