Interaction Between Dermal Papilla Cells and Follicular Epithelial Cells In Vitro: Effect of Androgen

The study investigated the effects of testosterone on human hair follicles by examining androgen receptor localization and the interaction between dermal papilla cells and follicular epithelial cells. Androgen receptors were found in beard and axillary, but not occipital scalp, dermal papilla cells. Testosterone did not stimulate cell proliferation when cells were cultured alone but significantly increased proliferation of outer root sheath cells when co-cultured with beard or axillary dermal papilla cells, suggesting the production of androgen-dependent growth factors by these cells. This effect was concentration-dependent and could be blocked by cyproterone acetate.