Melatonin-Mediated Circadian Rhythm Signaling Exhibits Bidirectional Regulatory Effects on the State of Hair Follicle Stem Cells

February 2025 in “ Biomolecules ”

Yu Zhang, Xuefei Zhao, Shuqi Li, Yanchun Xu, Suying Bai, Wei Zhang

melatonin hair follicle stem cells Rorα Foxc1 alopecia Wnt/β-catenin circadian rhythm signaling hair loss hair regeneration

Studysummary This research found that melatonin has a bidirectional effect on hair follicle stem cell survival, improving it at low doses and inhibiting it at high doses.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The study explores the bidirectional regulatory effects of melatonin on hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) in rats, mediated through the Rorα and Foxc1 genes. Melatonin downregulates Rorα, affecting Foxc1 expression, which is crucial for HFSC viability. Low doses of melatonin enhance HFSC viability and promote hair follicle reconstruction, while high doses inhibit it, preserving the stem cell pool. This suggests melatonin's circadian signaling could be a therapeutic target for hair loss conditions like alopecia. The study highlights the potential of melatonin in hair regeneration by modulating pathways such as Wnt/β-catenin, although further research is needed to understand the molecular mechanisms involved.

View this study on mdpi.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

22 / 22 results

research Potential Involvement Of miR-144 In The Regulation Of Hair Follicle Development And Cycle Through Interaction With Lhx2

1 citations , November 2024 in “Genes”

This study suggests that miR-144 influences hair follicle dynamics through its impact on Lhx2, which could lead to advancements in cashmere production, fleece quality, and treatments for hair growth disorders.

research Melatonin Promotes Hair Regeneration by Modulating the Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway

May 2024 in “Cell proliferation”

This study found that melatonin supplementation significantly promoted hair regeneration in a hair depilation mouse model by up-regulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in dermal papillae and hair follicle stem cells, suggesting potential implications for human hair loss treatments.

research Melatonin Protects K15+ Human Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Hair Matrix Keratinocytes Against Paclitaxel-Induced Damage Ex Vivo

1 citations , September 2023 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This article discusses the mechanisms behind chemotherapy-induced alopecia and the potential for permanent hair loss due to irreversible damage to hair follicle stem cells, but it reports no new clinical findings.

research Melatonin and the Human Hair Follicle

February 2023 in “Journal of Drugs in Dermatology”

In this literature review, researchers found evidence that topical melatonin may improve scalp hair growth, density, and thickness in patients with androgenetic alopecia, especially in men.

research Roles of Melatonin in Goat Hair Follicle Stem Cell Proliferation and Pluripotency Through Regulating the Wnt Signaling Pathway

11 citations , June 2021 in “Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology”

This study found that melatonin may enhance goat cashmere growth by activating Wnt signaling and regulating stem cell pluripotency through mechanisms involving NOGGIN and BMP4 pathways.

research Cell Types Promoting Goosebumps Form a Niche to Regulate Hair Follicle Stem Cells

77 citations , July 2020 in “Cell”

This study found that sympathetic nerves and arrector pili muscles form a niche that modulates hair follicle stem cell activity, revealing their role in hair follicle regeneration.

research Regulation of Hair Follicle Development by Exosomes Derived from Dermal Papilla Cells

87 citations , April 2018 in “Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications”

In this study, dermal papilla cell-derived exosomes accelerated hair follicle growth in mice, suggesting potential for treating hair loss by modulating key signaling pathways.

research Melatonin: A Cutaneous Perspective on Its Production, Metabolism, and Functions

185 citations , February 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This review discusses melatonin's potential in dermatology, highlighting its antioxidative, immunomodulatory, and DNA repair properties, but reports no new clinical results.

Skin Transcriptome Reveals the Intrinsic Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Hair Follicle Cycling in Cashmere Goats Under Natural and Shortened Photoperiod Conditions

research Skin Transcriptome Reveals the Intrinsic Molecular Mechanisms Underlying Hair Follicle Cycling in Cashmere Goats Under Natural and Shortened Photoperiod Conditions

24 citations , October 2017 in “Scientific reports”

This study suggests that controlling light exposure can influence cashmere growth by triggering hair follicles to enter their active growth phase sooner, potentially involving the CSDC2 gene as a key regulator.

research Foxc1 Reinforces Quiescence in Self-Renewing Hair Follicle Stem Cells

142 citations , February 2016 in “Science”

This review discusses the role of Foxc1 and type XVII collagen in hair follicle stem cell quiescence and aging, identifying mechanisms that relate to hair thinning and hair loss, and reports no new results.

research A Microarray-Based Analysis Reveals That a Short Photoperiod Promotes Hair Growth in the Arbas Cashmere Goat

40 citations , January 2016 in “PLoS ONE”

The study found that exposing Arbas Cashmere goats to a short photoperiod significantly increased cashmere production by extending the anagen phase of hair follicles, with gene expression changes identified as contributing factors.

research The Hair Follicle as a Dynamic Mini-Organ

759 citations , February 2009 in “Current Biology”

This review summarizes fundamental concepts and recent advancements in hair follicle biology, including insights from mouse models into broader molecular and cellular processes relevant to regeneration and development.

research Lgr5 Marks Cycling, Yet Long-Lived, Hair Follicle Stem Cells

835 citations , October 2008 in “Nature Genetics”

Lgr5 is a marker for active, long-lasting stem cells in mouse hair follicles.

research Hormonal Regulation of Hair Follicles Exhibits a Biological Paradox

98 citations , February 2007 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology”

This review explores the hormonal regulation of hair growth and changes with season, age, and sexual development, and calls for improved treatments for hair disorders.

research Characterization and Isolation of Stem Cell-Enriched Human Hair Follicle Bulge Cells

550 citations , December 2005 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation”

This study found that bulge cells marked by CD200+ in human hair follicles show high colony-forming efficiency, suggesting successful enrichment of keratinocyte stem cells.

research Substantial Sex-Dependent Differences in the Response of Human Scalp Hair Follicles to Estrogen Stimulation In Vitro Advocate Gender-Tailored Management of Female Versus Male Pattern Balding

38 citations , November 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

research Multipotent Nestin-Positive, Keratin-Negative Hair-Follicle Bulge Stem Cells Can Form Neurons

419 citations , March 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

This study demonstrated that ND-GFP stem cells from the hair-follicle bulge area can differentiate into various cell types, including neurons, suggesting their potential as a source for therapeutic applications.

research A Review: The Location, Molecular Characterization and Multipotency of Hair Follicle Epidermal Stem Cells

61 citations , November 2004 in “Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore”

This review examines the location and markers of hair follicle stem cells, finding that they are primarily located in the bulge region and can contribute to various skin structures, but challenges remain in distinguishing them from their progeny.

Melatonin Increases Anagen Hair Rate in Women With Androgenetic Alopecia or Diffuse Alopecia: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

research Melatonin Increases Anagen Hair Rate in Women With Androgenetic Alopecia or Diffuse Alopecia: Results of a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

78 citations , February 2004 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article reviews the potential impact of melatonin on hair growth, noting its benefits observed in animals, but reports no clinical results in humans to date.