Cytokines and Growth Factors Influence Hair Growth In Vitro: Possible Implications for the Pathogenesis and Treatment of Alopecia Areata

The study investigated the role of cytokines and growth factors in hair growth using in vitro cultures of human hair follicles. It found that certain cytokines and growth factors, such as TGFβ1, EGF, TNFα, and IL-1β, could inhibit hair growth, with EGF and TNFα inducing catagen-like morphology in hair follicles. IL-1β was suggested to play a significant role in the pathogenesis of alopecia areata (AA), while therapeutic mediators like IL-10 and TGFβ1 did not counteract IL-1β-induced hair growth inhibition. The findings indicated that cytokines and growth factors were crucial regulators of hair growth, potentially influencing the treatment and understanding of AA.