TLDR Autophagy, a cell process, helps activate hair growth stem cells and promote hair growth by controlling glycolysis, a type of cell metabolism.
The study "Autophagy induces hair follicle stem cell activation and hair follicle regeneration by regulating glycolysis" found that autophagy, a cellular process, plays a crucial role in activating hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and promoting hair growth. The researchers observed that the level of autophagy in HFSCs was highest during the transition from the resting (telogen) to the growth (anagen) phase of the hair follicle cycle. They used rapamycin, an autophagy activator, and 3-methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor, on mouse and human hair follicles. The results showed that inhibiting autophagy led to a prolonged resting phase and early entry into the degradation (catagen) phase, while promoting autophagy stimulated hair growth. The mechanism behind this was found to be the transformation of HFSC metabolism into glycolysis, driven by increased activity of lactate dehydrogenase (Ldha) and lactate production. Inhibiting Ldha expression negated the effects of autophagy.
77 citations,
March 2021 in “Nature” Stress hormone corticosterone blocks a growth factor to slow down hair stem cell activity and hair growth.
16 citations,
March 2021 in “Frontiers in cell and developmental biology” A new method using Y-27632 improves the growth and quality of human hair follicle stem cells for tissue engineering and therapy.
15 citations,
December 2020 in “International journal of molecular sciences” Epidermal stem cells create and maintain skin structures like hair and nails through specific signaling pathways and vary by location and function.
51 citations,
September 2020 in “Cell Metabolism” Glutamine metabolism affects hair stem cell maintenance and their ability to change back to stem cells.
88 citations,
June 2019 in “Cell reports” Certain small molecules can promote hair growth by activating a cellular cleanup process called autophagy.
27 citations,
July 2018 in “Experimental dermatology” Autophagy is crucial for normal sebaceous gland function and sebum composition.
42 citations,
March 2018 in “PLOS Biology” Autophagy is important for human hair growth and health.
202 citations,
August 2017 in “Nature cell biology” Lactate production is important for activating hair growth stem cells.
235 citations,
January 2011 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation” Men with baldness due to androgenetic alopecia still have hair stem cells, but lack specific cells needed for hair growth.
124 citations,
August 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Dexamethasone speeds up hair loss in mice, while cyclosporin A slows it down.
36 citations,
October 2015 in “Cell reports” Gab1 protein is crucial for hair growth and stem cell renewal, and Mapk signaling helps maintain these processes.
