Hepatocyte Growth Factor Activator Expressed in Hair Follicles Is Involved in In Vitro HGF-Dependent Hair Follicle Elongation

The study investigated the role of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) activator in hair follicle elongation. Researchers confirmed the expression of HGF activator in cultured human follicular papilla cells and outer root sheath cells using 3′ RACE/nested PCR and immunoblotting. HGF activator mRNA was present in all 15 anagen hair follicles from 7 individuals. In an organ culture system, single-chain HGF promoted hair follicle elongation, which was partially inhibited by aprotinin, a serine proteinase inhibitor. The findings suggested that single-chain HGF is converted to an active form by HGF activator, stimulating hair growth.