Effects of Low-Level Light on Hair Follicle Epithelial-Mesenchymal Interactions: Theory and Mechanism

January 2009

沈宜萱

low-level light therapy hair follicle epithelial-mesenchymal interactions dermal papilla cells hair growth LED light cell proliferation ERK phosphorylation Akt phosphorylation outer root sheath keratinocytes LLL therapy DPC ORSK

TLDR Low-level light therapy can promote hair growth by stimulating cell interactions in hair follicles.

The study explored the effects of low-level light (LLL) therapy on hair follicle epithelial-mesenchymal interactions, particularly focusing on dermal papilla cells (DPC), which are crucial in hair growth and development. The researchers hypothesized that LLL could promote hair growth by modulating these interactions. They found that irradiating DPC with 625-635nm LED light increased cell proliferation and viability, with more cells in the S/G2M phases of the cell cycle. This effect was linked to increased ERK and Akt phosphorylation, as inhibitors reversed the growth effects. Additionally, outer root sheath keratinocytes (ORSK) co-cultured with irradiated DPC showed increased proliferation, suggesting that LLL stimulates DPC growth, which in turn enhances ORSK proliferation through soluble factors, potentially modulating hair follicle interactions.

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