Human Follicular Papilla Cells Carry Out Non-Adipose Tissue Production of Leptin

December 2001 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Makiko Iguchi, Setsuya Aiba, Yumiko Yoshino, Hachiro Tagami

TLDR Leptin may play a role in hair growth and hair follicle health.

The study revealed that human follicular papilla cells (FPC) from the scalp produced leptin, a hormone typically associated with adipose tissue, and expressed its functional receptor, suggesting a potential role for leptin in hair biology. The research involved 12 FPC lines and demonstrated leptin protein and mRNA presence in the hair follicle's lower portion. Various cytokines and growth factors were found to downregulate leptin production, indicating an autocrine function of leptin in hair biology. The findings suggested that leptin might influence hair growth and contribute to the immunoprivileged status of hair follicles, highlighting the need for further investigation into leptin's role in hair growth and biology.

View this study on jidonline.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

11 / 11 results

research Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Various Compartments of the Human Hair Follicle

105 citations , December 1998 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

research Overexpression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Induces Hyperplasia, Dermal Abnormalities, and Spontaneous Tumor Formation in Transgenic Mice

147 citations , April 1997 in “Oncogene”

Overexpressing IGF-1 in mice leads to skin abnormalities and tumors.

research Transgenic Mice Expressing IFN-γ in the Epidermis Have Eczema, Hair Hypopigmentation, and Hair Loss

150 citations , April 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Growth Factors and Cytokines in Hair Follicle Development and Cycling: Recent Insights from Animal Models and the Potentials for Clinical Therapy

research Growth Factors and Cytokines in Hair Follicle Development and Cycling: Recent Insights from Animal Models and the Potentials for Clinical Therapy

100 citations , November 1996 in “Molecular Medicine Today”

Growth factors and cytokines are important for hair growth and could potentially treat hair loss, but more research is needed to overcome challenges before they can be used in treatments.

research Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Is an Autocrine Growth Factor for Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

135 citations , January 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Keratinocyte Growth Factor Is an Important Endogenous Mediator of Hair Follicle Growth, Development, and Differentiation. Normalization of the Nu/Nu Follicular Differentiation Defect and Amelioration of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia.

219 citations , July 1995 in “PubMed”

Keratinocyte growth factor promotes hair growth and reduces hair loss from chemotherapy.

Human Follicular Papilla Cells Carry Out Non-Adipose Tissue Production of Leptin

Research cited in this study

research Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in Various Compartments of the Human Hair Follicle

research Overexpression of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Induces Hyperplasia, Dermal Abnormalities, and Spontaneous Tumor Formation in Transgenic Mice

research Transgenic Mice Expressing IFN-γ in the Epidermis Have Eczema, Hair Hypopigmentation, and Hair Loss

research Growth Factors and Cytokines in Hair Follicle Development and Cycling: Recent Insights from Animal Models and the Potentials for Clinical Therapy

research Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Is an Autocrine Growth Factor for Hair Dermal Papilla Cells

research Keratinocyte Growth Factor Is an Important Endogenous Mediator of Hair Follicle Growth, Development, and Differentiation. Normalization of the Nu/Nu Follicular Differentiation Defect and Amelioration of Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia.

research Human Hair Growth In Vitro: A Model for the Study of Hair Follicle Biology

research IL-1 Alpha Inhibits Human Hair Follicle Growth And Hair Fiber Production In Whole-Organ Cultures

research Fibroblast Growth Factor Influences the Development and Cycling of Murine Hair Follicles

research Cachexia and Graft-Versus-Host Disease-Type Skin Changes in Keratin Promoter-Driven TNF Alpha Transgenic Mice

research Epidermal Growth Factor Delays Development of Epidermis and Hair Follicles in Mice During First Coat Growth