Integrated Transcriptomics and Metabolomics Analyses of Stress-Induced Murine Hair Follicle Growth Inhibition

February 2022 in “ Frontiers in molecular biosciences ”

Xuewen Wang, Cai Chen, Qiao Liang, Meng Xia, Lihua Lai, Xia Wu, Xiaoyun Jiang, Hao Cheng, Yinjing Song, Qiang Zhou

Studysummary This study revealed that chronic restraint stress in mice led to significant alterations in metabolic pathways and gene expression associated with hair growth inhibition, using metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses.

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

This study investigated the effects of chronic restraint stress (CRS) on hair follicle growth in mice, aiming to understand the mechanisms behind stress-induced hair loss. The researchers used an integrated approach combining metabolomics and transcriptomics analyses. They found significant alterations in primary and secondary metabolic pathways, including carbohydrate, amino acid, and lipid metabolism in the skin tissue of stressed mice. Gene expression profiles also showed significant changes in genes regulating metabolic processes such as arachidonic acid, glutathione, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, nicotinate and nicotinamide, purine, retinol, and cholesterol metabolism. Notably, genes like Hk-1, which are associated with metabolism, were significantly changed in CRS-induced hair growth inhibition. The study provides new insights into how CRS affects hair growth by altering metabolic pathways and gene expression.

View this study on frontiersin.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

27 / 27 results

research Corticosterone Inhibits GAS6 to Govern Hair Follicle Stem-Cell Quiescence

77 citations , March 2021 in “Nature”

In this study, increased corticosterone from chronic stress prolonged hair follicle stem cell quiescence in mice, inhibiting regeneration, but restoring Gas6 expression overcame this inhibition.

research Glutamine Metabolism Controls Stem Cell Fate Reversibility and Long-Term Maintenance in the Hair Follicle

51 citations , September 2020 in “Cell Metabolism”

This study highlights that the mammalian target of rapamycin complex 2 (mTORC2)-Akt signaling axis is essential for hair follicle stem cells to return to their niche and regenerate effectively by regulating metabolic pathways.

research Alcohol Extract from Vernonia Anthelmintica Seed Counteracts Stress-Induced Murine Hair Follicle Growth Inhibition

6 citations , December 2019 in “BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine”

This study found that the alcohol extract of Vernonia anthelmintica may counteract stress-induced hair follicle growth inhibition in mice, potentially offering a new approach for treating stress-related hair loss.

research Cholesterol Homeostasis: Links to Hair Follicle Biology and Hair Disorders

25 citations , July 2019 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This review discusses the role of cholesterol homeostasis in hair follicle biology and its potential connections to various hair disorders, but it reports no new findings.

research Stimulation of Hair Growth by Small Molecules That Activate Autophagy

88 citations , June 2019 in “Cell reports”

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.

research Treatment of Alopecia Areata with Simvastatin and Ezetimibe

21 citations , December 2017 in “The journal of investigative dermatology. Symposium proceedings/The Journal of investigative dermatology symposium proceedings”

This study suggests that statins may help treat acute alopecia areata, with animal experiments showing increased regulatory T cell populations after statin treatment in mice with the condition.

research Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Drives Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation

202 citations , August 2017 in “Nature cell biology”

This study found that glycolytic metabolism and lactate production are crucial for hair follicle stem cell activation, and manipulating these processes can stimulate the hair cycle.

research Alopecia Areata: What’s New in Epidemiology, Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Options?

56 citations , October 2016 in “Journal of dermatological science”

This review explores multidisciplinary advances in understanding alopecia areata, including epidemiology, pathogenesis, and innovative treatments, but reports no new research results.

research Lipid Profile in Patients with Androgenetic Alopecia: A Meta-Analysis

15 citations , October 2016 in “Journal of The European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

This meta-analysis found that patients with androgenetic alopecia have significantly abnormal lipid profiles, which could contribute to the link between this condition and cardiovascular diseases.

research Stress-Related Skin Disorders

67 citations , July 2016 in “Reviews in Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders”

This review discusses the complex relationship between stress and various skin conditions, highlighting the role of the skin in the stress response and the brain-skin communication pathways, but reports no new research findings.

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.

research Neuroendocrinology of the Hair Follicle: Principles and Clinical Perspectives

98 citations , July 2014 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

This article discusses the role of human hair follicles in neuroendocrinology and suggests potential new therapeutic targets by examining how neuromediators influence hair growth, pigmentation, and stem cell biology in organ cultures.

research Signaling Involved in Hair Follicle Morphogenesis and Development

223 citations , January 2014 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

This article reviews the complex signaling pathways between epithelial and mesenchymal cells crucial for hair follicle morphogenesis, highlighting the Wnt pathway's role as a master regulator without reporting new experimental findings.

research Chronic Restraint Stress Inhibits Hair Growth via Substance P Mediated by Reactive Oxygen Species in Mice

76 citations , April 2013 in “PLoS ONE”

The researchers reported that reactive oxygen species regulate the stress-induced SP-Mast cell pathway, which might support using antioxidants to treat stress-related hair loss.

research Retinoid Metabolism Is Altered in Human and Mouse Cicatricial Alopecia

22 citations , October 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that C57BL/6 mice with a diet containing specific levels of vitamin A showed alterations in retinoid metabolism and increased frequency of cicatricial alopecias, suggesting dietary factors may play a role in this condition.

research Hairy Tale of Signaling in Hair Follicle Development and Cycling

161 citations , August 2012 in “Seminars in cell & developmental biology”

This review discusses the molecular mechanisms involved in hair follicle development and regeneration, highlighting findings from mouse genetic studies, and reports no new experimental results.

research Integral Hair Lipid in Human Hair Follicle

36 citations , August 2011 in “Journal of dermatological science”

This article examines the role and composition of integral hair lipids in forming a protective barrier similar to the skin's epidermal lipid layer and reports no new findings about their effects.

research Hair Follicle as a Target of Stress Hormones and Autoimmune Reactions

61 citations , September 2010 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

This review discusses the interplay between hormonal and immune systems in hair follicles and reports no new results, highlighting the need for further research on their role in skin biology and alopecia areata.

research Neuroendocrinology of Epithelial Hair Follicle Stem Cells

42 citations , March 2008 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

This review explores the potential (neuro-)endocrine influences on hair follicle epithelial stem cell biology and emphasizes the need for more systematic research, but it provides no new empirical results.

research Hair Growth Inhibition by Psychoemotional Stress: A Mouse Model for Neural Mechanisms in Hair Growth Control

127 citations , December 2005 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study provides evidence that psychoemotional stress inhibits hair growth in mice by affecting the brain-hair follicle axis, with specific neuropeptides and treatments modulating this effect.

research Mast Cell Deficient and Neurokinin-1 Receptor Knockout Mice Are Protected from Stress-Induced Hair Growth Inhibition

76 citations , March 2005 in “Journal of Molecular Medicine”

This study found that premature hair loss due to stress does not occur in NK-1 receptor knockout or mast cell deficient mice, suggesting a key role for neurokinin substance P and mast cell interaction in stress-related hair follicle changes.

research Burden of Hair Loss: Stress and the Underestimated Psychosocial Impact of Telogen Effluvium and Androgenetic Alopecia

162 citations , August 2004 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study suggests that stress negatively affects hair growth by inducing inflammation and early hair cycle transitions in mice, which might inform strategies for managing stress-related hair loss in humans.

research Topical Minoxidil Counteracts Stress-Induced Hair Growth Inhibition in Mice

30 citations , September 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology”

In this study on a murine model, researchers observed that a 5% minoxidil solution reduced stress-induced changes in hair growth, suggesting its potential for managing stress-related hair loss in humans.

Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

research Stress Inhibits Hair Growth in Mice by Inducing Premature Catagen Development and Harmful Perifollicular Inflammatory Events via Neuropeptide Substance P-Dependent Pathways

194 citations , March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology”

This study found that psychoemotional stress disrupts hair growth in mice by terminating anagen and suggests a potential pathway for pharmacological management of stress-related hair loss in humans.

research Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Hair Follicle Development

854 citations , February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle formation and discusses potential future clinical applications for treating hair loss and skin tumors, but it reports no new clinical results.

Indications for a Brain-Hair Follicle Axis: Inhibition of Keratinocyte Proliferation and Up-Regulation of Keratinocyte Apoptosis in Telogen Hair Follicles by Stress and Substance P

research Indications for a Brain-Hair Follicle Axis: Inhibition of Keratinocyte Proliferation and Up-Regulation of Keratinocyte Apoptosis in Telogen Hair Follicles by Stress and Substance P

125 citations , September 2001 in “The FASEB Journal”

This study demonstrated that stress inhibited hair growth in mice, likely through substance P-dependent activation of immune cells, highlighting a brain-hair follicle connection.

research Towards a Molecular Understanding of Hair Loss and Its Treatment

236 citations , July 2001 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

This review discusses common hair loss conditions and explores how advancements in hair follicle biology might lead to more effective treatments but reports no new results.