Cultured dermal papilla cells from androgen-dependent human hair follicles (e.g. beard) contain more androgen receptors than those from non-balding areas of scalp

The study from 1992 investigated the role of androgen receptors in hair follicles and their response to androgens, which are known to stimulate hair growth in areas like the beard but cause balding on the scalp in genetically predisposed individuals. Researchers cultured dermal papilla cells, which are key in regulating hair growth, from human hair follicles that have different reactions to androgens. They found that cells from androgen-sensitive areas (beard, scrotum, and pubis) had higher levels of androgen receptors compared to those from androgen-insensitive, non-balding scalp follicles. This was determined using saturation analysis with the synthetic androgen [3H]mibolerone. The presence of specific high-affinity, low-capacity androgen receptors was confirmed in 12 dermal papilla primary cell lines. These findings support the hypothesis that androgens affect hair follicles through the dermal papilla and suggest that the phenotype of dermal papilla cells varies based on their origin. This research provides a foundation for further studies on androgen action mechanisms and could help explain why individuals who are bald can still grow beards.