Microbiome in the Hair Follicle of Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

May 2019 in “ PLOS ONE ”

Bryan Ho, Eliza Xin Pei Ho, Collins Wenhan Chu, Srinivas Ramasamy, Mei Bigliardi-Qi, Paola Florez de Sessions, Paul L. Bigliardi

androgenetic alopecia hair follicle microbiome Propionibacterium acnes immune response gene expression miniaturized hair AGA P. acnes

Studysummary This study observed that hair follicles in hair loss patients had increased levels of Propionibacterium acnes, potentially linked to elevated immune response gene expression in miniaturized hair follicles. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This study analyzed the microbiome in the hair follicles of patients with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) and found that there were distinct microbial populations in the middle and lower portions of the hair follicle. The study also found that there was a higher abundance of Propionibacterium acnes in miniaturized hair samples from AGA patients, which may be associated with elevated immune response gene expression in the hair follicle. The study suggests that the microbiome may play a role in AGA pathogenesis and that further research is needed to understand the relationship between the microbiome and hair loss.

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research Comparative Transcriptome Profiling Provides New Insights Into Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia Progression

12 citations , May 2016 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article reviews androgenetic alopecia and its underlying mechanisms, highlighting genetic and androgen factors in its onset, and does not report new research results.

research Destruction of the Arrector Pili Muscle and Fat Infiltration in Androgenic Alopecia

35 citations , March 2014 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that in androgenic alopecia, the arrector pili muscle degenerates and is replaced by fat, unlike in normal skin or telogen effluvium.

research Scalp Dermatoscopic Findings in Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Relations with Disease Severity

30 citations , January 2014 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This study observed no significant relationship between trichoscopic findings and disease severity in male or female androgenetic alopecia, despite some specific patterns correlating with different severity levels in female patients.

research Prostaglandin D2 Inhibits Hair Growth and Is Elevated in Bald Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

205 citations , March 2012 in “Science Translational Medicine”

PGD2 stops hair growth and is higher in bald men with AGA.

research Is Propionibacterium Acnes Associated With Hair Casts And Alopecia?

19 citations , January 2012 in “International Journal of Trichology”

This case series suggests that Propionibacterium acnes colonization may contribute to the development of hair casts and diffuse non-scarring alopecia, as patients' symptoms improved with antibiotics targeting the bacteria.

research Dihydrotestosterone-Inducible IL-6 Inhibits Elongation of Human Hair Shafts by Suppressing Matrix Cell Proliferation and Promotes Regression of Hair Follicles in Mice

173 citations , September 2011 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

IL-6 contributes to hair loss by shortening the growth phase and causing hair follicles to regress.

research Sebum Free Fatty Acids Enhance the Innate Immune Defense of Human Sebocytes by Upregulating Beta-Defensin-2 Expression

195 citations , December 2009 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that sebum free fatty acids may enhance the antibacterial defense of human sebaceous glands by upregulating the expression of the antimicrobial peptide hBD-2, potentially aiding in acne treatment.

research Scalp Dermoscopy of Androgenetic Alopecia in Asian People

67 citations , February 2009 in “Journal of Dermatology”

This study found that dermoscopy can be a useful tool for diagnosing androgenetic alopecia, particularly in determining hair diameter diversity as an essential feature in Asian populations.

research Increased Hair Shedding May Be Associated with the Presence of Malassezia

9 citations , January 2006 in “American Journal of Clinical Dermatology”

This study found that Malassezia carriage was significantly more common among participants experiencing hair shedding, suggesting a potential link between this fungal presence and hair loss.

research Comparative Evaluation of Hair Density and Grouped Hair Unit Pattern Between Androgenetic Alopecia and Normal Scalp

5 citations , January 2004 in “Annals of Dermatology”

This study found that Korean men with androgenetic alopecia have lower hair density and a higher proportion of single-hair units compared to normal adult males.

research Molecular Mechanisms of Androgenetic Alopecia

229 citations , August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology”

This paper discusses key mechanisms of androgen metabolism in androgenetic alopecia and reports the effectiveness of treatments like oral finasteride and topical minoxidil, highlighting the limited success rate due to factors like follicular inflammation.

research Androgenetic Alopecia and Microinflammation

131 citations , August 2000 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

Inflammation may be linked to hair loss, and targeting specific enzymes could help treat it.

research Ketoconazole Shampoo: Effect of Long-Term Use in Androgenic Alopecia

92 citations , January 1998 in “Dermatology”

This study found that 2% ketoconazole shampoo improved hair density and anagen follicle proportion in androgenic alopecia similarly to minoxidil treatment, suggesting a potential role for Malassezia in inflammation.

research Improvement in the Inflammatory Aspect of Androgenetic Alopecia: A Pilot Study with an Antimicrobial Lotion

40 citations , January 1996 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This study found that using an antimicrobial lotion for 18 months may reduce inflammation and potentially partially reverse hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia.

research Cutaneous Immunopathology of Androgenetic Alopecia

10 citations , August 1991 in “PubMed”

This study supports the idea that inflammation may play a role in the development of androgenetic alopecia, as indicated by certain immune deposits and porphyrins found more frequently in bald scalp biopsies compared to controls.

research Cutaneous Immunopathology of Androgenetic Alopecia

13 citations , August 1991 in “The Journal of the American Osteopathic Association”

This research found evidence of inflammatory involvement in androgenetic alopecia, with higher deposition of certain immune components in the scalp of affected patients compared to those without baldness.

research Male Pattern Alopecia: A Histopathologic and Histochemical Study

94 citations , August 1975 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

In this study, the researchers observed that male pattern alopecia is characterized by miniature follicles, enlarged sebaceous glands, and an increased number of mast cells, without significant abnormalities in enzyme activity.