Autophagy Induces Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation and Hair Follicle Regeneration by Regulating Glycolysis

The study "Autophagy induces hair follicle stem cell activation and hair follicle regeneration by regulating glycolysis" found that autophagy, an intracellular degradation system, plays a crucial role in hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) activation and hair growth. Autophagy was found to be highest during the transition from telogen (resting phase) to anagen (growth phase) in the hair follicle cycle. When autophagy was inhibited, it led to early entry into catagen (degradation phase) and prolonged telogen, whereas promoting autophagy with a drug called rapamycin (Rapa) encouraged hair growth. Autophagy activated HFSCs by increasing the expression and activity of an enzyme called lactate dehydrogenase (Ldha), thereby transforming HFSC metabolism into glycolysis, a process of breaking down glucose for energy. Inhibition of Ldha expression counteracted the effects of autophagy. The study concludes that autophagy activates HFSCs by promoting the transition from HFSC metabolism to glycolysis, which initiates the hair follicle cycle and promotes hair growth.