Exploring the Efficacy Evaluation Model for Androgenic Alopecia Using Hair Organoids: Transcending Conventional Hair Research

April 2026 in “ Journal of Dermatological Science ”

Seoyeon Kyung, Su Jin Lim, Kyung Eun Lee, Youn-Hwa Nho, Bo Eun Lee, Noviana Wulansari, Jongman Yoo, Soon Re Kim, Byung Cheol Park, Dong Keon Yon, Seunghyun Kang

androgenic alopecia hair organoids embryonic stem cells dihydrotestosterone DHT minoxidil soybean embryo extract biomarkers anti-hair loss therapies AGA MXD SOYACT

Studysummary This study highlights that hair-bearing organoids derived from embryonic stem cells can effectively model androgenic alopecia conditions and test the efficacy of anti-hair loss treatments.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

This study introduces a novel hair-bearing organoid model derived from embryonic stem cells to evaluate treatments for androgenic alopecia (AGA). The organoids effectively mimic scalp and hair follicle characteristics and were used to model AGA by treating them with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The research validated the efficacy of minoxidil (MXD) and soybean embryo extract (SOYACT) in promoting hair growth and restoring biomarkers reduced by DHT. The findings suggest that hair organoids provide a robust platform for preclinical testing of anti-hair loss therapies, offering a promising alternative to traditional in vitro systems and animal testing. Despite some limitations, such as replicating the full complexity of human hair and scalp functions, the study highlights the potential of organoids as versatile tools bridging in vitro and clinical studies.

View this study on jdsjournal.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

16 / 16 results

research Effects of Oxytocin on the Hair Growth Ability of Dermal Papilla Cells

October 2023 in “Scientific Reports”

This study explored the effects of oxytocin on hair growth and found that it upregulated growth-promoting factors in dermal papilla cells and hair follicle organoids, suggesting potential for developing new alopecia treatments.

research Applications of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Skin Organoids in Dermatology

1 citations , September 2023 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study provided an overview of skin organoids created from pluripotent stem cells, showcasing their potential in dermatologic research and future clinical applications, while noting challenges such as lengthy differentiation protocols that result in heterogeneous products.

research Construction of Transcriptome Atlas of White Yak Hair Follicle During Anagen and Catagen Using Single-Cell RNA Sequencing

8 citations , December 2022 in “BMC Genomics”

This study revealed gene expression patterns in yak hair follicles during different growth phases, enhancing the understanding of cell fate specialization and providing insights for yak villus development.

research Generation And Characterization Of Hair-Bearing Skin Organoids From Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

39 citations , March 2022 in “Nature Protocols”

This study describes a protocol for generating hair-bearing skin organoids from human pluripotent stem cells, achieving full complexity resembling fetal skin tissue by day 130 in vitro.

research Two-Cell Assemblage Assay: A Simple In Vitro Method for Screening Hair Growth-Promoting Compounds

5 citations , November 2020 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology”

This study introduced a simple and reliable in vitro assay capable of large-scale simultaneous screening of hair growth-promoting compounds using a 3D co-culture system of human dermal papilla and outer root sheath cells.

research Dihydrotestosterone Regulates Hair Growth Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in C57BL/6 Mice and In Vitro Organ Culture

23 citations , January 2020 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology”

In this study, DHT was observed to have varying effects on hair follicle growth and related protein expression depending on concentration, with the Wnt/β-catenin pathway potentially playing a significant role.

The Efficacy and Safety of Dutasteride Compared with Finasteride in Treating Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

research The Efficacy and Safety of Dutasteride Compared with Finasteride in Treating Men with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

38 citations , February 2019 in “Clinical Interventions in Aging”

This meta-analysis found that dutasteride was more effective than finasteride in increasing hair count and improving photographic assessments for men with androgenetic alopecia, while both drugs had similar rates of sexual dysfunction-related adverse effects.

research Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells as In Vitro Screening Model for Hair Growth

76 citations , August 2018 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

This review discusses the use of Dermal Papilla cells as in vitro models for studying hair growth modulators, emphasizing their role in aiding the development of new hair treatments, but reports no new clinical results.

research In Vivo and In Vitro Hair Growth Promotion Effects of Extract from Glycine Soja Siebold et Zucc

2 citations , June 2016 in “Journal of Applied Biological Chemistry”

In this study, Glycine soja Siebold et Zucc extracts promoted hair growth and increased cell activity in mice, suggesting potential use for alopecia treatment.

research Hair Follicle Aging Is Driven by Transepidermal Elimination of Stem Cells via COL17A1 Proteolysis

242 citations , February 2016 in “Science”

This research found that Foxc1 transcription factor and COL17A1 are critical in regulating quiescence and hair thinning in hair follicle stem cells, with aging-related DNA damage leading to hair loss.

research Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Cells

321 citations , December 2009 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This review discusses the role of dermal cells in hair follicle regeneration and morphogenesis and highlights their potential therapeutic implications, but it reports no new empirical findings.

research Stem Cell Markers (Cytokeratin 15, CD34, and Nestin) in Primary Scarring and Nonscarring Alopecia

54 citations , January 2009 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that in scarring alopecia, stem cells are differentially localized, suggesting that both inner and outer root sheath stem cells, rather than just follicular bulge stem cells, are involved.

research Proliferation, DNA Repair, and Apoptosis in Androgenetic Alopecia

19 citations , August 2008 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

In this study, researchers observed that in advanced androgenetic alopecia, increased DNA damage in the frontal bald area may lead to cell apoptosis due to impaired repair capacity.

research Therapeutic Strategies for Treating Hair Loss

42 citations , March 2006 in “Drug Discovery Today: Therapeutic Strategies”

This article discusses the need for rational strategies in developing hair loss drugs targeting specific events in hair follicle cycling, reporting no clinical findings but emphasizing the importance of understanding molecular controls.

research Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis

520 citations , February 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This study found that VEGF significantly enhances perifollicular vascularization during the hair growth phase, accelerating hair regrowth and increasing follicle and hair size, while its inhibition retards hair growth.

research Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells From Androgen-Dependent Human Hair Follicles Contain More Androgen Receptors Than Those From Non-Balding Areas Of Scalp

124 citations , April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology”

This study observed that cells from androgen-sensitive areas like the beard and scrotum showed higher androgen receptor levels compared to those from non-balding scalp areas, supporting the role of dermal papilla in follicle growth responses to androgens.