Human Hair Follicle Stem/Progenitor Cells Express Hypoxia Markers

The 2013 study investigated human hair follicle stem/progenitor cells and their expression of hypoxia markers, specifically carbonic anhydrase IX (CA IX) and glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1). These markers were found in the basal cell layer of the anagen follicle lower outer root sheath, with a subset also positive for keratin 19 (K19) and CD34, which are depleted in bald scalps. The study suggested that hypoxia may help regulate cell proliferation and maintain the undifferentiated state of these cells, indicating that a hypoxic environment in the lower stem cell niche of hair follicles could be crucial for preventing alopecia. The study also noted a decrease in CD34+ cells in androgenetic alopecia, suggesting their importance in hair growth and cycle control. The potential for hypoxic signaling to protect CD34+ cells offers a new approach to sustaining hair growth. However, the study's credibility is affected by a conflict of interest, as one author is listed on a related patent. The number of participants or samples was not mentioned.