Differential Expression of CXCL12 in Human and Mouse Hair: Androgens Induce CXCL12 in Human Dermal Papilla and Dermal Sheath Cup

December 2024 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

Mei Zheng, Seungchan An, In Guk Park, Jino Kim, Won-Serk Kim, Minsoo Noh, Jong-Hyuk Sung

CXCL12 androgenetic alopecia androgens dermal papilla cells dermal sheath cup cells androgen receptors hair miniaturization testosterone hair organ culture AGA DPCs DSCs AR

TLDR Targeting CXCL12 may help treat hair loss caused by androgens.

The study examines the role of CXCL12 in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by analyzing its expression in human and mouse hair follicles. It reveals that androgens increase CXCL12 expression in human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and dermal sheath cup cells (DSCs), leading to hair miniaturization. CXCL12 is co-expressed with androgen receptors (AR) in these cells, and its increased levels are linked to hair growth inhibition. The study suggests that targeting CXCL12 with antibodies could be a promising treatment for AGA, as demonstrated by increased hair growth in testosterone-induced AGA models using human hair organ culture.

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