Androgen-Dependent Beard Dermal Papilla Cells Secrete Autocrine Growth Factors in Response to Testosterone Unlike Scalp Cells
November 1998
in “
The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology
”
TLDR Beard cells, unlike scalp cells, produce growth factors in response to testosterone, which may explain differences in hair growth.
The study concluded that androgen-dependent beard dermal papilla cells secreted autocrine growth factors in response to testosterone, unlike nonbalding scalp dermal papilla cells. Beard cells showed a significant increase in DNA synthesis and mitogenic activity when exposed to testosterone, suggesting a unique androgen response that could explain the androgen-induced enlargement of hair follicles in beard growth. This differential behavior highlighted the potential role of these factors in androgen-dependent hair disorders and the need for further research to identify the specific mitogenic factors involved.
