Role of Ornithine Decarboxylase in Human Hair Follicles
January 2010
TLDR Ornithine decarboxylase is crucial for human hair growth and the hair cycle.
The study investigated the role of ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) in human hair follicles, focusing on its expression and effects on hair growth and the hair cycle. It was found that ODC is expressed at both mRNA and protein levels in human hair follicles, particularly in the anagen phase. The study used α-difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), an ODC inhibitor, and siRNA techniques to explore ODC's function. Results showed that inhibiting ODC reduced follicular keratinocyte proliferation and altered apoptosis-related molecular expressions, such as decreasing P-ERK, P-Akt, and Bcl-2 levels while increasing Bax. DFMO also significantly inhibited hair growth and promoted apoptosis in cultured human follicles. These findings suggested that ODC played a crucial regulatory role in human hair growth and the hair cycle.