Clinical Snippets: R-Spondin2 Amplifies Wnt Signaling for Hair Growth, Gene Expression Differences in Balding Scalp, IKB Regulates hBD2 in Psoriasis, ß-Defensin Gene Cluster and Hidradenitis Suppurativa, Autoantigen Epitopes in Alopecia Areata
July 2016
in “
Experimental Dermatology
”
TLDR New treatments for hair growth and psoriasis may be possible, and gene differences could affect baldness and the severity of skin conditions.
In a study by Smith and colleagues, R-spondin2 (Rspo2) was used to amplify endogenous Wnt signaling, which extended the anagen phase of the hair cycle and stimulated hair growth in mice, suggesting potential for human hair growth treatments. Chew and colleagues identified gene expression differences between balding and non-balding scalp areas, finding down-regulation of vasculature-related genes in balding areas, which could contribute to androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Johansen and colleagues discovered that IKB is the master regulator of human B-defensin-2 (hBD2) expression, which is important in psoriasis pathogenesis. Giamarellos-Bourboulis and colleagues found that higher copy numbers of the ß-defensin gene cluster (DEFB) increase the risk of hidradenitis suppurativa/acne inversa (HS), but also modulate the disease to a later onset and less severe course. Lastly, Wang and colleagues identified potential autoantigen epitopes related to alopecia areata (AA) using in silico and in vitro methods, which may help in finding prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for AA.
