TLDR Neprilysin is important for hair growth regulation.
The study investigated the role of neprilysin (NEP), an enzyme that degrades elastin, in regulating the hair cycle in rats and mice. NEP activity and expression were found to increase during the early anagen phase and decrease from catagen to telogen. Immunostaining revealed changes in NEP localization throughout the hair cycle. To assess NEP's role, a specific inhibitor (NPLT) was applied to the skin of C3H mice, resulting in significantly suppressed hair growth. These findings suggested that NEP played an important role in regulating the hair cycle, particularly through its increased expression and activity in the follicular epithelium during early anagen.
25 citations,
April 2015 in “Current problems in dermatology” Hair regrowth slows with age and can be affected by treatments that change enzyme activity in the skin.
25 citations,
July 2008 in “British Journal of Dermatology” CD10 and CD34 levels change during hair development and different hair growth stages, which could be important for hair regeneration treatments.
194 citations,
March 2003 in “American Journal of Pathology” Stress stops hair growth in mice by causing early hair growth phase end and harmful inflammation through a specific nerve-related pathway.
20 citations,
April 2000 in “Experimental dermatology” ODC transgenic mice can model human hair loss with skin lesions.
26 citations,
July 2016 in “PLOS ONE” Activating β-catenin in certain skin cells speeds up hair growth in mice.
April 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Wnt ligands, produced by dermal papilla cells, are essential for adult hair growth and regeneration.
10 citations,
February 2016 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” Skin sheath cells help in hair growth and renewal after birth.
184 citations,
November 2014 in “Developmental Cell” Hair follicle dermal stem cells are key for regenerating parts of the hair follicle and determining hair type.
154 citations,
October 1996 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America” Estrogen affects hair growth and skin cell multiplication.
