Microenvironment-Responsive Recombinant Collagen XVII-Based Composite Microneedles for the Treatment of Androgenetic Alopecia

    May 2025 in “ Acta Biomaterialia
    Xing Zheng, Xiaoxiao Zhang, Chen Zhao, Li Zhang, Qian Song, Yun Chu, Wenhao Yang, Yuhui Wang, Jiang Xia, Jianhao Wang
    TLDR The new microneedle treatment effectively promotes hair growth better than minoxidil.
    The study presents a novel treatment for androgenetic alopecia (AGA) using microenvironment-responsive recombinant human collagen XVII (rhCOL17) microneedles (MNs) loaded with insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1). This system, called I@M-MRrhCOL17 MNs, leverages the mechanical strength of polydopamine nanoparticles to penetrate the skin and deliver IGF-1 effectively. The microneedles facilitate sustained release of growth factors and enhance hair regeneration by activating VEGF/VEGFR and Src/p38 MAPK signaling pathways. In a mouse model, this approach showed superior results compared to minoxidil, promoting neovascularization, reducing inflammation, and stimulating hair growth, offering a promising alternative for AGA treatment.
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