LB808: A Humanized Mouse Model of Androgenetic Alopecia (AGA) Shows That Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) Stimulates Hair Regrowth
August 2021
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
TLDR Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) helps regrow hair in male pattern baldness.
The study utilized xenografts of human androgenetic alopecia (AGA) scalp skin on SCID mice to investigate the effects of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) on hair growth. Scalp skin from 7 male AGA patients was transplanted onto the mice, which were then divided into two groups receiving either non-activated or activated PRP injections monthly for 4 months. Results showed that activated PRP significantly increased the number of visible hair shafts and improved hair regrowth in 5 out of 7 patients' xenografts. Quantitative analysis revealed a higher anagen:telogen ratio and increased proliferation with decreased apoptosis of hair matrix keratinocytes in the activated PRP group. This study provided the first preclinical evidence that PRP stimulates hair regrowth in male pattern AGA and suggested that humanized AGA mice are suitable for screening AGA therapeutics.