Decreased Expression of Cytokeratin 15 and Tropoelastin in Men With Androgenetic Alopecia and Its Relationship With Increased Expression of p15/p16

The study assessed protein expression changes in 57 men with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and found significantly lower levels of cytokeratin 15 (CK15) and tropoelastin (TE) in the alopecia-affected areas compared to control areas. Additionally, there was a higher percentage of dead cells and increased expression of the senescence markers p15/p16 in the affected areas. These findings suggested that AGA involved tissue damage impacting hair follicle stem cells and the extracellular matrix.