Loss of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Alopecia Hair Follicles

The 1995 study investigated the expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) in hair follicles from individuals with alopecia areata, androgenic alopecia, and those without alopecia. VEGF is important for blood vessel formation and function. The study found that VEGF levels were significantly lower or absent in hair follicles from patients with alopecia areata and to a lesser extent in those with androgenic alopecia, compared to individuals without alopecia. This suggests that reduced VEGF may contribute to the loss of vascular support and subsequent hair follicle atrophy in alopecia. The results imply that capillary loss is an early event in alopecia and that hair regrowth is preceded by revascularization, highlighting the importance of vascular support for hair follicle health.