TLDR Lower MC2R expression may contribute to alopecia areata.
The study investigated the expression of melanocortin receptor type 2 (MC2R) in patients with alopecia areata (AA) and found that MC2R levels were significantly lower in AA lesions compared to normal scalp tissue. This reduction was particularly notable in the proximal portion of hair follicles, upper differentiating layers of the epidermis, and sebaceous glands. The findings suggested that decreased MC2R expression might be involved in the epithelial pathology of AA and could correlate with the disease's pathogenesis rather than being a consequence of hair follicle cycle phases. The study proposed that an overactive hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis response to stress might trigger AA, but lower MC2R levels could lead to a deficient local HPA axis response, similar to conditions that increase susceptibility to autoimmune diseases. The research highlighted a potential pathological link between HPA axis regulation, ACTH receptor expression, and AA, warranting further investigation into dynamic MC2R levels in the human hair follicle cycle.
69 citations
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May 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Stress might contribute to hair loss in alopecia areata.
59 citations
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September 2008 in “Experimental dermatology” Both mouse and rat models are effective for testing alopecia areata treatments.
24 citations
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January 2008 in “KARGER eBooks” The document concludes that ongoing research using animal models is crucial for better understanding and treating Alopecia Areata.
293 citations
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November 2005 in “Trends in Immunology” Stress can worsen skin conditions and stop hair growth by affecting the body's stress response system.
489 citations
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June 2005 in “The FASEB Journal” Human hair follicles can produce cortisol like the body's stress response system.
284 citations
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May 2002 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” CRH promotes fat production in skin cells, affecting conditions like acne.
2 citations
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December 2001 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Steroids may not work well for alopecia areata because of high unoccupied receptors and low thioredoxin levels.
18 citations
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April 2013 in “PLOS ONE” Mice with autoimmune hair loss showed signs of heart problems.
5 citations
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May 2017 in “Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology” The study found no significant difference in stress hormone levels between people with alopecia areata and healthy individuals, suggesting that the disease is not caused by an overactive stress response system.
56 citations
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November 2010 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research” Brain hormones significantly affect hair color and could potentially be used to prevent or reverse grey hair.
58 citations
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March 2011 in “Pflügers Archiv für die gesamte Physiologie des Menschen und der Tiere/Pflügers Archiv” Hormones and signaling pathways control sebaceous gland function and could help treat acne.
January 2017 in “Springer eBooks” The document concludes that scalp health is influenced by complex factors affecting sebaceous glands, including hormones, aging, and various substances.
