The Role of Lipids in Promoting Hair Growth Through HIF-1 Signaling Pathway

February 2025 in “ Scientific Reports ”

Jieun Seo, Kinzo Matsumoto, Ayaka Nanmo, Shan Tung Tu, Do-Won Jeong, Yang‐Sook Chun, Lei Yan, Tatsuto Kageyama, Junji Fukuda

lipids HIF-1 signaling pathway androgenetic alopecia human dermal papilla cells HIF-1α trichogenic genes hair follicle organoids DPCs

Studysummary In this study, lipid metabolism was found to be reduced in scalp tissues of patients with androgenetic alopecia, and lipid supplementation enhanced hair growth-related gene expression in human dermal papilla cells, suggesting a potential role for lipids in promoting hair growth through HIF-1 signaling.

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This study investigates the role of lipids in hair growth, particularly through the HIF-1 signaling pathway. Researchers observed reduced lipid metabolism in the scalp tissues of patients with androgenetic alopecia. Supplementing lipids in culture mediums enhanced hair growth-related gene expression and the proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (DPCs). RNA-sequencing and HIF-1α knockdown experiments identified HIF-1α as a key regulator in lipid-induced upregulation of trichogenic genes. Additionally, in vitro tests with hair follicle organoids showed that lipids promoted the elongation of hair-shaft-like structures. These findings suggest that targeting lipid pathways could be a promising strategy for treating hair loss.

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