TLDR The mouse model suggests male pattern baldness may be due to an enzyme increasing DHT and higher androgen receptor levels in hair follicles.
The document from May 01, 2010, describes the creation of a transgenic mouse model to study androgenic alopecia (AGA), or male pattern baldness. The model is designed to mimic the human condition by expressing human androgen receptor (AR) in hair follicles, making them more sensitive to dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The study suggests that AGA may be caused by increased activity of the enzyme 5a-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT, and elevated AR levels in hair follicles, potentially disrupting ß-catenin signaling pathways important for hair growth. This mouse model is intended to facilitate further research into the molecular mechanisms of AGA, the testing of new treatments, and the understanding of how minoxidil, a hair growth medication, works.
42 citations,
March 2010 in “Endocrinology” Mice with human gene experienced hair loss when treated with DHT.
70 citations,
January 2009 in “The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism/Journal of clinical endocrinology & metabolism” Androgens slow hair growth by altering Wnt signaling in balding cells.
229 citations,
August 2002 in “Experimental Gerontology” AGA causes hair loss by shrinking hair follicles due to DHT binding, and can be treated with finasteride and minoxidil.
370 citations,
September 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Finasteride and minoxidil are effective for hair loss, but continued research is needed for better treatments.
416 citations,
September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.
143 citations,
October 1996 in “Dermatologic Clinics” Too much androgen can cause hair loss; finasteride may help.
124 citations,
April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology” Beard hair follicles have more androgen receptors than non-balding scalp hair follicles.
24 citations,
October 2014 in “Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine” Genetic research has advanced our understanding of skin diseases, but complex conditions require an integrative approach for deeper insight.
April 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology” The workshop highlighted the genetic links and psychological impacts of hair loss and skin disorders.
23 citations,
January 2021 in “Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy” DHT stops hair regrowth in mice, similar to human hair loss.
January 2018 in “Elsevier eBooks” The document concludes that alopecia has significant social and psychological effects, leading to a market for hair loss treatments.
70 citations,
February 2015 in “Expert Opinion on Drug Discovery” Topical drugs and near-infrared light therapy show potential for treating alopecia.
