Control of Human Hair Growth by Neurotrophins: Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Inhibits Hair Shaft Elongation, Induces Catagen, and Stimulates Follicular Transforming Growth Factor Beta 2 Expression

The document from April 1, 2005, presents a study on the effects of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) on human hair growth. The study found that BDNF, at a concentration of 50 ng/mL, significantly inhibited hair shaft elongation, induced premature catagen development, and inhibited keratinocyte proliferation in organ-cultured human anagen hair follicles. BDNF also upregulated the expression of Transforming Growth Factor β2 (TGFB2), a known inducer of catagen. The induction of catagen by BDNF was partially reversible with the co-administration of TGFB-neutralizing antibody, indicating that BDNF/TrkB signaling may promote the transition from anagen to catagen partly through TGFB2 upregulation. These findings suggest that BDNF/TrkB signaling could be a potential target for therapeutic hair growth modulation. The number of hair follicles used in the study was not specified.