Mycophenolate Antagonizes IFN-γ-Induced Catagen-Like Changes via β-Catenin Activation in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Follicles

The document reports a study examining the impact of mycophenolate (MPA) on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) and hair follicles, specifically its ability to counteract catagen-like changes induced by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ). IFN-γ was found to inhibit Wnt/β-catenin signaling, which is crucial for hair growth, by reducing β-catenin levels and increasing the expression of Wnt inhibitor DKK-1 and catagen inducer TGF-β2. MPA countered these effects by increasing β-catenin, leading to its nuclear accumulation and the upregulation of anagen-phase characteristics in DPCs, as well as the downregulation of TGF-β2. The study used at least 60 anagen hair follicles from three different human donors and showed that MPA treatment resulted in longer hair shafts and could reverse IFN-γ-induced catagen-like changes. These findings suggest MPA as a potential therapeutic agent for hair restoration, with its mechanism of action involving the stabilization of β-catenin and activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Results were statistically significant with p < 0.05, and the research was funded by the Korean Health Technology R&D Project.