Double Knockdown of the Androgen Receptor Target Genes DKK1 and SFRP1 Does Not Potentiate the Hair Growth-Promoting Effect of SFRP1 Silencing in Healthy Human Hair Follicles Ex Vivo

The study examined the effects of silencing androgen receptor target genes DKK1 and SFRP1 on hair growth in healthy human hair follicles ex vivo. It found that silencing SFRP1 alone effectively prolonged the anagen phase and increased keratinocyte proliferation, promoting hair growth. However, the combined knockdown of DKK1 and SFRP1 did not enhance these effects and even reduced the positive impact of SFRP1 silencing. The study, involving 12 healthy donors, suggests that targeting SFRP1 may be a promising strategy for hair loss management, highlighting the complex interplay between AR and Wnt signaling in hair cycle regulation.