Mimicking Senescence Factors to Characterize the Mechanisms Responsible for Hair Regression and Hair Loss: An In Vitro Study

July 2025 in “ Organoids ”

Giacomo Masi, Cristiana Guiducci, Francesca Rescigno

dermal papilla vascularized dermal papilla senescence factors TGF-β1 FGF-18 hair cycle transitions anagen catagen telogen vascularization gene expression Minoxidil β-catenin signaling Doxorubicin hair follicle dystrophy Rogaine

Studysummary In this study, researchers used two dermal papilla spheroid models to investigate hair cycle regression mechanisms and found that the vascular system enhances tissue physiology and gene modulation, while Retinol-based treatments can partially recover tissue degeneration observed over an extended culture period. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

This in vitro study developed dermal papilla (DP) and vascularized DP (VASC-DP) models to investigate hair regression and loss mechanisms by mimicking senescence factors. The research identified TGF-β1 and FGF-18 as key regulators of hair cycle transitions, with TGF-β1 promoting the shift from anagen to catagen and FGF-18 advancing the cycle to a telogen-like phase. The study highlighted the role of vascularization in enhancing tissue physiology and modulating gene expression, with treatments like Minoxidil promoting hair growth by activating β-catenin signaling, while Doxorubicin induced hair follicle dystrophy. The findings suggest these models are valuable for exploring hair cycle dynamics and developing personalized therapies for hair loss.

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