The Roles of EDA2R in Aging and Disease

November 2025 in “ Aging Cell ”

G. King Farrington, Lauren Tonge, Tracy Branagan, Sud Sudirman, Chao Fang, Louis Y. P. Luk, Serkan Kır, Marco Bolis, Ildus I. Ahmetov, Kehinde Ross

EDA2R androgenetic alopecia AGA X chromosome inflammation apoptosis immune responses ectoderm-derived tissues skin hair follicles hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia male-pattern hair loss male-pattern baldness

TLDR EDA2R is a key gene linked to ageing and diseases, and targeting it may help treat conditions like hair loss and chronic diseases.

The review highlights the EDA2R gene's role as a biomarker and therapeutic target in ageing and various diseases, including androgenetic alopecia (AGA). EDA2R, located on the X chromosome, is involved in inflammation, apoptosis, and immune responses, with significant expression in ectoderm-derived tissues like skin and hair follicles. It is linked to conditions such as hypohidrotic ectodermal dysplasia and male-pattern hair loss. Large-scale studies, including those with over 50,000 participants, have identified EDA2R as a marker of biological ageing and its association with chronic diseases, dementia, and muscle wasting. Emerging therapies targeting EDA2R, such as fasting and exercise, show promise, but further research is needed to understand its biological functions and develop targeted treatments.

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