NF-κB Activity Is Required for Anagen Maintenance in Human Hair Follicles In Vitro

The study indicated that NF-κB activity was essential for maintaining the anagen phase in human hair follicles in vitro. Researchers found active NF-κB signaling in the hair matrix keratinocytes of anagen hair follicles, as evidenced by specific nuclear phospho-p65 immunoreactivity. The study involved examining intact human anagen hair follicles and using pharmacological NF-κB inhibitors, which led to catagen development and increased apoptosis in hair matrix keratinocytes. These findings suggested that targeting NF-κB activity could be a potential strategy for influencing human hair growth. However, as a pilot investigation, further research was necessary to fully understand NF-κB's role in hair growth regulation.