Overexpression of Bcl-2 Protects from Ultraviolet B-Induced Apoptosis but Promotes Hair Follicle Regression and Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia

April 2000 in “ The American journal of pathology ”

Sven Müller-Röver, Heidemarie Rossiter, Ralf Paus, Bori Handjiski, Eva M.J. Peters, Jo Ellen Murphy, Lars Mecklenburg, Thomas S. Kupper

Bcl-2 ultraviolet B apoptosis hair follicle regression chemotherapy-induced alopecia keratinocytes catagen follicular dystrophy UVB hair loss chemotherapy hair loss

TLDR Bcl-2 overexpression protects against UVB damage but worsens hair loss from chemotherapy.

The study investigated the role of Bcl-2 in hair growth and keratinocyte apoptosis using transgenic mice overexpressing human Bcl-2. These K14/Bcl-2 mice exhibited significantly fewer UVB-induced apoptotic keratinocytes compared to wild-type mice, indicating protection from UVB-induced apoptosis. However, the overexpression of Bcl-2 did not affect neonatal hair follicle morphogenesis or the onset of the first wave of hair follicle regression (catagen). Instead, it accelerated spontaneous catagen progression and promoted follicular dystrophy during chemotherapy-induced alopecia. Thus, while Bcl-2 overexpression protected against UVB-induced apoptosis, it unexpectedly enhanced catagen- and chemotherapy-associated keratinocyte apoptosis.

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Research cited in this study

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research Principles of Hair Cycle Control

109 citations, December 1998 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

Manipulating the catagen and telogen phases of hair growth could lead to treatments for hair disorders.

Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Mice: Induction by Cyclophosphamide, Inhibition by Cyclosporine A, and Modulation by Dexamethasone

research Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Mice: Induction by Cyclophosphamide, Inhibition by Cyclosporine A, and Modulation by Dexamethasone

36 citations, April 1994 in “PubMed”

Cyclosporine A slows down hair loss from chemotherapy in mice, while dexamethasone increases hair loss but speeds up regrowth.

research Apoptosis in Human Skin Development: Morphogenesis, Periderm, and Stem Cells

253 citations, March 1994 in “Developmental dynamics”

Apoptosis is essential for human skin development and forming a functional epidermis.

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