Male Androgenetic Alopecia Is Due to Hair Follicle Stem Cell Inactivation

April 2011 in “ Expert Review of Dermatology ”

Longmei Zhao, Basil M. Hantash

androgenetic alopecia hair follicle stem cell inactivation hair germ cells ß-catenin FGF BMP signaling hair follicle cycling bulge stem cells DP HG activation AGA hair loss hair follicle stem cells fibroblast growth factor bone morphogenetic protein

TLDR Male hair loss is caused by inactive hair follicle stem cells.

This 12-year-old scientific paper concludes that male androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is caused by hair follicle stem cell inactivation. The study suggests that the depletion of active hair germ cells, rather than reduced numbers of stem cells in follicles, is responsible for AGA. The article highlights three signaling pathways that participate in hair follicle stem cell activation to drive hair follicle cycling. The study suggests that stabilizing ß-catenin expression in bulge stem cells and stimulating FGF and/or inhibiting BMP signaling in the DP may allow for HG activation and the halting of hair loss in patients suffering from AGA.

View this study on tandfonline.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

research Bald Scalp in Men with Androgenetic Alopecia Retains Hair Follicle Stem Cells but Lacks CD200-Rich and CD34-Positive Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells

235 citations, January 2011 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

Men with baldness due to androgenetic alopecia still have hair stem cells, but lack specific cells needed for hair growth.

research Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Cells

321 citations, December 2009 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Dermal cells are key in controlling hair growth and could potentially be used in hair loss treatments, but more research is needed to improve hair regeneration methods.

research Psychological Effect, Pathophysiology, and Management of Androgenetic Alopecia in Men

112 citations, October 2005 in “Mayo Clinic Proceedings”

Minoxidil and finasteride can slow hair loss and stimulate regrowth, but won't restore all lost hair or reverse complete baldness.

research Defining the Impact of Beta-Catenin/Tcf Transactivation on Epithelial Stem Cells

384 citations, June 2005 in “Genes & development”

β-catenin is essential for stem cell activation and proliferation in hair follicles.

research Identification of Androgen-Inducible TGF-β1 Derived from Dermal Papilla Cells as a Key Mediator in Androgenetic Alopecia

78 citations, June 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

TGF-β1 from dermal papilla cells suppresses hair growth, and targeting it may help treat androgenetic alopecia.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Pathogenesis and Potential for Therapy

174 citations, November 2002 in “Expert Reviews in Molecular Medicine”

Hair loss needs more research for better treatments.

Androgen-Inducible TGF-β1 from Balding Dermal Papilla Cells Inhibits Epithelial Cell Growth: A Clue to Understanding Paradoxical Effects of Androgen on Human Hair Growth

research Androgen-Inducible TGF-β1 from Balding Dermal Papilla Cells Inhibits Epithelial Cell Growth: A Clue to Understanding Paradoxical Effects of Androgen on Human Hair Growth

190 citations, October 2002 in “The FASEB journal”

Androgens may cause hair loss by increasing TGF-beta1 from scalp cells, which inhibits hair cell growth.

research Noggin Is Required for Induction of the Hair Follicle Growth Phase in Postnatal Skin

211 citations, October 2001 in “The FASEB Journal”

Noggin is necessary to start the hair growth phase in skin after birth.

research The Genetics of Androgenetic Alopecia

50 citations, March 2001 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Genes and hormones cause hair loss, with four genes contributing equally.

research Fortnightly Review: Male Pattern Androgenetic Alopecia

179 citations, September 1998 in “BMJ”

Hair loss in men is common, treatable, but not curable.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 1000+ results

community My Theory Regarding a Cause and Cure for Androgenetic Alopecia

in Treatment 97 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss theory suggests imbalance between Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) and Androgen Receptor (AR) activation. Proposed treatment includes upregulating VDR, downregulating AR, and improving mitochondrial health.

community Diffuse hair loss and scalp biopsies

in Research 692 upvotes 4 months ago

Scalp biopsies are crucial for diagnosing hair loss conditions like Diffuse Unpatterned Alopecia (DUPA) and retrograde hair loss, as treatments like finasteride and dutasteride may not be effective if other conditions are present. Combining PPAR-GAMMA agonists with retinoids could improve treatments for conditions like Lichen Planopilaris.

community New and Interesting HairLoss Studies/Papers/Reviews

in Treatment 42 upvotes 4 years ago

Hair loss treatments discussed include Dutasteride with Ketoconazole, tissue engineering strategies, and androgenetic alopecia therapies. Massage doubles follicular retention, improving treatment effectiveness.

community The Real Cause Of Androgenetic Alopecia

in Research/Science 667 upvotes 2 months ago

Androgenetic alopecia is caused by DHT affecting hair growth. Finasteride and minoxidil are used to manage hair loss by blocking DHT and promoting hair growth.

community PP405: The Ultimate Hair Loss Drug for Complete Hair Growth

in Research/Science 198 upvotes 2 days ago

PP405 is a new hair loss treatment in phase 2 trials that may promote hair growth by increasing lactate production and activating hair follicle stem cells. It could potentially replace hormone-disrupting treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride.

Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

community Physio-metabolic method of treating androgenic alopecia. Cold receptors. The relationship between DHT, cold receptors, minoxidil and antiandrogens

in Research 411 upvotes 2 weeks ago

Treating androgenic alopecia with minoxidil, finasteride, and antiandrogens, alongside exercise, cryotherapy, and natural substances to stimulate cold receptors for better hair growth. The method focuses on enhancing treatment effectiveness by considering environmental and behavioral factors and the role of cold receptors and muscle stress.