TLDR Muscarinic acetylcholine receptors help regulate and promote hair growth.
This study explores the role of the cholinergic system in hair growth, specifically focusing on muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs) in dermal papilla cells. In M4 mAChR knockout mice, hair follicles exhibited a prolonged telogen phase and failed to produce hair shafts, indicating the importance of mAChRs in hair growth regulation. The study found that inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) or stimulating mAChRs in dermal papilla cells, cultured vibrissae, and skin epidermis promoted hair growth. Treatment with bethanechol, an mAChR agonist, activated Wnt/β-catenin signaling through PI3K/AKT and ERK pathways, as evidenced by various biomarkers. This activation led to increased hair shaft elongation in mouse vibrissae, highlighting the cholinergic system's role in promoting hair growth.
January 2022 in “Journal of St. Marianna University” Substances from human hair cells can affect hair loss-related genes, potentially leading to new treatments for baldness.
15 citations
,
April 2014 in “Experimental Dermatology” Scientists developed a system to study human hair growth using skin cells, which could help understand hair development and improve skin substitutes for medical use.
321 citations
,
December 2009 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Dermal cells are key in controlling hair growth and could potentially be used in hair loss treatments, but more research is needed to improve hair regeneration methods.
32 citations
,
August 2006 in “Archives of Dermatological Research” Dermal papilla cells can help regrow hair follicles.
January 2003 in “Chinese Journal of Reparative and Reconstructive Surgery” Dermal papilla cells can help form hair follicles and produce hair.
66 citations
,
August 2001 in “Experimental Dermatology” Human hair follicle cells can grow hair when put into mouse skin if they stay in contact with mouse cells.
57 citations
,
November 1998 in “Wound Repair and Regeneration” Hair papilla cells can create and regenerate hair bulbs under the right conditions.
