Stimulation of Hair Growth by Small Molecules That Activate Autophagy

June 2019 in “ Cell reports ”

Min Chai, Meisheng Jiang, Laurent Vergnes, Xudong Fu, Stéphanie C. de Barros, Ngan Doan, Wilson Huang, Jessie Chu, Jing Jiao, Harvey R. Herschman, Gay M. Crooks, Karen Reue, Jing Huang

autophagy α-KG α-KB rapamycin metformin anagen phase quiescent hair follicles autophagy inhibitors hair regeneration telogen skin alpha-ketoglutarate alpha-ketobutyrate

From the encyclopedia

Rapamycin →

mTOR regulator and immunosuppressant used more recently for anti-aging and hair regrowth

Metformin →

diabetes drug with anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and insulin-sensitizing properties

Studysummary This study found that activating autophagy with specific small molecules and drugs can stimulate hair growth by initiating the anagen phase in dormant hair follicles, suggesting a potential treatment for hair loss.

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

The study from June 1, 2019, demonstrated that small molecules activating autophagy, such as α-KG, α-KB, rapamycin, and metformin, could stimulate hair growth by inducing the anagen phase in quiescent hair follicles. This effect was blocked by autophagy inhibitors, indicating a mechanistic link between autophagy and hair regeneration. Increased autophagy was observed during the anagen phase of the natural hair follicle cycle. In aged mice, oral α-KB prevented hair loss, suggesting potential therapeutic applications for hair loss patients. The findings highlighted the possibility of pharmacologically activating anagen in telogen skin, offering new avenues for treating hair loss.

View this study on cell.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

17 / 17 results

research Inactivation of Autophagy Leads to Changes in Sebaceous Gland Morphology and Function

27 citations , July 2018 in “Experimental dermatology”

This study found that autophagy plays a role in sebaceous gland function and sebum composition control in mice lacking the Atg7 gene in keratinocytes.

research Autophagy Is Essential for Maintaining the Growth of a Human Mini-Organ: Evidence from Scalp Hair Follicle Organ Culture

42 citations , March 2018 in “PLOS Biology”

This study found that autophagy plays a novel role in human hair growth, with altered autophagic flux during hair development phases influencing hair follicle behavior in a preclinical model.

research Caloric Restriction Promotes Structural and Metabolic Changes in the Skin

67 citations , September 2017 in “Cell Reports”

Caloric restriction improves skin and fur structure but can cause muscle loss and movement issues.

research Metformin Improved Health-Related Quality of Life in Ethnic Chinese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

19 citations , August 2016 in “Health and Quality of Life Outcomes”

This study found that metformin treatment may improve health-related quality of life in ethnic Chinese women with polycystic ovary syndrome, particularly in aspects of physical health, acne, and infertility, especially for those who are overweight and have hyperandrogenism.

research Comparison of Clinical and Metabolic Effects of Metformin and Pioglitazone in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome

26 citations , January 2016 in “Indian journal of endocrinology and metabolism”

In this randomized trial, metformin and pioglitazone both improved certain clinical and metabolic indices in women with PCOS, with pioglitazone showing potential as an alternate treatment for those intolerant to metformin.

research Pharmacologic Inhibition of JAK-STAT Signaling Promotes Hair Growth

159 citations , October 2015 in “Science Advances”

This study observed that applying JAK-STAT pathway inhibitors to mouse and human skin led to rapid hair growth by inducing the anagen phase of hair follicles.

Mitochondrial Function in Murine Skin Epithelium Is Crucial for Hair Follicle Morphogenesis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions

research Mitochondrial Function in Murine Skin Epithelium Is Crucial for Hair Follicle Morphogenesis and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions

56 citations , March 2015 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Healthy mitochondria in skin cells are essential for proper hair growth and skin cell interaction in mice.

research mTOR Signaling Promotes Stem Cell Activation via Counterbalancing BMP-Mediated Suppression During Hair Regeneration

71 citations , January 2015 in “Journal of molecular cell biology/Journal of Molecular Cell Biology”

This study found that mTOR signaling plays a crucial role in activating hair follicle stem cells by balancing BMP-mediated repression, essential for hair regeneration.

research Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species Promote Epidermal Differentiation and Hair Follicle Development

277 citations , February 2013 in “Science Signaling”

This study found that mitochondrial reactive oxygen species are crucial for normal epidermal differentiation and hair follicle growth, as demonstrated by impaired development in mice lacking these signals due to a keratinocyte-specific TFAM deficiency.

Therapeutic Strategy for Hair Regeneration: Hair Cycle Activation, Niche Environment Modulation, Wound-Induced Follicle Neogenesis, and Stem Cell Engineering

research Therapeutic Strategy for Hair Regeneration: Hair Cycle Activation, Niche Environment Modulation, Wound-Induced Follicle Neogenesis, and Stem Cell Engineering

74 citations , January 2013 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy”

This review discusses recent advances in hair follicle biology, regeneration, and tissue engineering, highlighting emerging therapeutic opportunities, and reports no new experimental results.

research Mammalian Target of Rapamycin Complex 1 (mTORC1) May Modulate the Timing of Anagen Entry in Mouse Hair Follicles

28 citations , November 2012 in “Experimental dermatology”

This study suggests that mTORC1 may play a role in regulating the timing of hair growth cycle phases, particularly the initiation of the anagen phase.

research Alopecia Areata: An Autoimmune Disease Causing Hair Loss

421 citations , April 2012 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Alopecia Areata is an autoimmune condition causing hair loss with no cure and treatments that often don't work well.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Alopecia Areata Implicates Both Innate and Adaptive Immunity

717 citations , June 2010 in “Nature”

This study identified key genetic regions associated with alopecia areata, highlighting both acquired and innate immune involvement, with a novel link to the upregulation of ULBP ligands in autoimmune disease.

research The Hair Follicle as a Dynamic Mini-Organ

759 citations , February 2009 in “Current Biology”

This review summarizes fundamental concepts and recent advancements in hair follicle biology, including insights from mouse models into broader molecular and cellular processes relevant to regeneration and development.

research Wnt-Dependent De Novo Hair Follicle Regeneration in Adult Mouse Skin After Wounding

829 citations , May 2007 in “Nature”

Hair follicles can regrow in wounded adult mouse skin using a process like embryo development.

research Minoxidil: Mechanisms of Action on Hair Growth

397 citations , February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article reviews the mechanisms by which minoxidil stimulates hair growth and reports no new clinical findings.

Melanogenesis Is Coupled to Murine Anagen: Toward New Concepts for the Role of Melanocytes and the Regulation of Melanogenesis in Hair Growth

research Melanogenesis Is Coupled to Murine Anagen: Toward New Concepts for the Role of Melanocytes and the Regulation of Melanogenesis in Hair Growth

210 citations , July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review discusses the role of intrinsic skin signals, rather than serum signals, in regulating melanin synthesis and hair pigmentation, but reports no new experimental data.