Photobiomodulation Mitigates DHT-Induced Apoptosis in Dermal Papilla Cells via Mitochondrial Rescue and Wnt/TGF-β/BMP Signaling Modulation

July 2025 in “ Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology ”

Yi Ren, Xiaojing Miao, Hui Jiang, Angze Li, Longfei Huo, Xuran Zhang, Qiqi Fu, Jiali Yang, Jing Tian, Muqing Liu

photobiomodulation dihydrotestosterone dermal papilla cells mitochondrial dysfunction reactive oxygen species androgenetic alopecia Wnt signaling TGF-β signaling BMP signaling PBM DHT AGA

TLDR Photobiomodulation helps protect hair follicle cells from damage caused by DHT.

This study found that photobiomodulation (PBM) effectively restores the viability and function of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) affected by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) within a concentration range of 0–50 μM, mitigating the damaging effects of DHT. PBM, particularly in pulsed mode, protects against DHT-induced apoptosis and mitochondrial dysfunction by reducing reactive oxygen species levels. These findings suggest that PBM could be a promising therapeutic approach for managing androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by counteracting the adverse effects of DHT on hair follicle cells.

View this study on sciencedirect.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

34 / 34 results

research Effects of Photobiomodulation on Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells with Various Light Modes and Parameters

2 citations , December 2024 in “Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology”

Pulsed wave red LED light is more effective than continuous wave light for promoting hair regrowth.

research New Plant Extracts Exert Complementary Anti-Hair Loss Properties in Human In Vitro and Ex Vivo Models

November 2024 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

The plant extracts may help treat hair loss by promoting hair growth and reducing DHT levels.

research Restoration of Follicular β-Catenin Signaling by Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promotes Hair Growth in Mice with Androgenetic Alopecia

November 2024 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

Stem cells from umbilical cords can help regrow hair in mice with hair loss.

research MitoQ Enhances CYP19A1 Expression to Stimulate WNT/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway for Promoting Hair Growth in Androgenetic Alopecia

November 2024 in “European Journal of Pharmacology”

MitoQ may help treat hair loss by boosting hair growth pathways.

Improvement of Androgenic Alopecia by Extracellular Vesicles Secreted from Hyaluronic Acid-Stimulated Induced Mesenchymal Stem Cells

research Improvement of Androgenic Alopecia by Extracellular Vesicles Secreted from Hyaluronic Acid-Stimulated Induced Mesenchymal Stem Cells

September 2024 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

HA-stimulated stem cell vesicles improved hair growth in male mice with androgenetic alopecia.

research The Synergistic Effect of Phototherapy and Active Substances on Hair Growth

August 2024 in “Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B Biology”

Combining light therapy with certain substances improves hair growth in people with hair loss.

research The Metabolites of Bifidobacterium Longum BB536 Alleviate DHT-Damaged Human Dermal Papilla Cells by Activating WNT/β-Catenin Signaling

August 2024 in “Food Bioscience”

Bifidobacterium longum BB536 metabolites may help treat hair loss by repairing and promoting hair cell growth.

research Hair Growth Promoting Effects of 15-Hydroxyprostaglandin Dehydrogenase Inhibitor in Human Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells

July 2024 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

The inhibitor DPP can promote hair growth.

research AP Collagen Peptides (APCPs) Promote Hair Growth by Activating the GSK-3β/β-Catenin Pathway and Improve Hair Condition

July 2024 in “Experimental Dermatology”

AP collagen peptides help hair grow and improve hair health.

research Can Plant Extracts Help Prevent Hair Loss or Promote Hair Growth? A Review Comparing Their Therapeutic Efficacies, Phytochemical Components, and Modulatory Targets

May 2024 in “Molecules/Molecules online/Molecules annual”

Plant extracts can help prevent hair loss and promote hair growth.

Ellagic Acid Inhibits Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Ferroptosis and Promotes Hair Regeneration by Activating the Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway

research Ellagic Acid Inhibits Dihydrotestosterone-Induced Ferroptosis and Promotes Hair Regeneration by Activating the Wnt/Beta-Catenin Signaling Pathway

April 2024 in “Journal of ethnopharmacology”

Ellagic acid may help regrow hair and prevent hair loss by activating a specific cell growth pathway.

research AP Collagen Peptides Improve Hair Growth and Quality by Promoting Human Hair Cell Proliferation and Keratin Synthesis

January 2024 in “Archives of Biological Sciences (Beograd)”

AP collagen peptides may help hair grow better and become stronger.

research Progress on the Mechanism of Natural Products Alleviating Androgenetic Alopecia

December 2023 in “European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry”

Natural products might be safe, effective, and affordable treatments for hair loss.

Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside And Its Derivative Vitisin A Alleviate Androgenetic Alopecia By Exerting Anti-Androgen Effect And Inhibiting Dermal Papilla Cell Apoptosis

research Cyanidin-3-O-Glucoside And Its Derivative Vitisin A Alleviate Androgenetic Alopecia By Exerting Anti-Androgen Effect And Inhibiting Dermal Papilla Cell Apoptosis

December 2023 in “European Journal of Pharmacology”

C3G and Vitisin A may help prevent hair loss by blocking male hormones and stopping hair cell death.

research Potential Application of PBM in Hair Follicle Organoid Culture for the Treatment of Androgenic Alopecia

November 2023 in “Materials Today Bio”

Light therapy might help treat hereditary hair loss by improving hair follicle growth in lab cultures.

research Cell-Free Fat Extract Restores Hair Loss: A Novel Therapeutic Strategy for Androgenetic Alopecia

August 2023 in “Stem Cell Research & Therapy”

A substance called Cell-free fat extract can effectively treat common hair loss by increasing hair growth and density.

Effects of Photobiomodulation at Various Irradiances on Normal and Dihydrotestosterone-Treated Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells In Vitro

research Effects of Photobiomodulation at Various Irradiances on Normal and Dihydrotestosterone-Treated Human Hair Dermal Papilla Cells In Vitro

1 citations , July 2023 in “Journal of Biophotonics”

Red light at 8 mW/cm2 most effectively promotes hair cell growth and affects key growth pathways, especially in cells treated with a hair loss-related hormone.

research Adipose Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Derived Exosomes Carrying MiR-122-5p Antagonize the Inhibitory Effect of Dihydrotestosterone on Hair Follicles by Targeting the TGF-β1/SMAD3 Signaling Pathway

March 2023 in “International Journal of Molecular Sciences”

ADSC-Exos with miR-122-5p can help treat hair loss by promoting hair growth.

research The AR/miR-221/IGF-1 Pathway Mediates the Pathogenesis of Androgenetic Alopecia

2 citations , January 2023 in “International Journal of Biological Sciences”

A specific pathway involving AR, miR-221, and IGF-1 plays a key role in causing common hair loss.

research Photobiomodulation in 3D Tissue Engineering

20 citations , September 2022 in “Journal of Biomedical Optics”

PBM helps improve cell survival in 3D tissue engineering.

research Development of Tea Seed Oil Nanostructured Lipid Carriers and In Vitro Studies on Their Applications in Inducing Human Hair Growth

1 citations , May 2022 in “Pharmaceutics”

Tea seed oil in nanostructured carriers stimulates hair growth and feels less greasy when applied.

Cyanidin 3-O-Arabinoside Suppresses DHT-Induced Dermal Papilla Cell Senescence by Modulating p38-Dependent ER-Mitochondria Contacts

research Cyanidin 3-O-Arabinoside Suppresses DHT-Induced Dermal Papilla Cell Senescence by Modulating p38-Dependent ER-Mitochondria Contacts

14 citations , March 2022 in “Journal of Biomedical Science”

Cyanidin 3-O-arabinoside may help treat a common form of hair loss by protecting cells against aging and improving cell function.

research Androgens Downregulate BMP2, Impairing the Inductive Role of Dermal Papilla Cells on Hair Follicle Stem Cells Differentiation

6 citations , November 2020 in “Molecular and Cellular Endocrinology”

Androgens reduce BMP2, which weakens the ability of certain cells to help hair stem cells become different types of cells.

research Dihydrotestosterone Regulates Hair Growth Through the Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway in C57BL/6 Mice and In Vitro Organ Culture

23 citations , January 2020 in “Frontiers in Pharmacology”

Dihydrotestosterone affects hair growth by changing the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, with low levels helping and high levels hindering growth.

research Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity Drives Hair Follicle Stem Cell Activation

202 citations , August 2017 in “Nature cell biology”

Lactate production is important for activating hair growth stem cells.

research Effect of Laser Diode Light Irradiation on Growth Capability of Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells

8 citations , July 2017

Laser diode light boosts hair follicle cell growth and certain gene expressions.

research Various Wavelengths of Light-Emitting Diode Light Regulate the Proliferation of Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Hair Follicles via Wnt/β-Catenin and the Extracellular Signal-Regulated Kinase Pathways

33 citations , January 2017 in “Annals of Dermatology”

LED light can help hair growth by activating specific cell pathways.

research Mechanisms and Applications of the Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Photobiomodulation

520 citations , January 2017 in “AIMS biophysics”

Photobiomodulation therapy using red and near-infrared light can reduce inflammation and aid in healing various conditions.

research Oxidative Stress-Associated Senescence in Dermal Papilla Cells of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

93 citations , February 2015 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Oxidative stress affects hair loss in men with androgenetic alopecia.

research Visible Red Light Enhances Physiological Anagen Entry In Vivo And Has Direct And Indirect Stimulatory Effects In Vitro

35 citations , December 2014 in “Lasers in surgery and medicine”

Red light promotes hair growth by directly stimulating hair cells and improving cell communication.

Arctiin Blocks Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Senescence and Cell Death Through MicroRNA Expression Changes in Human Dermal Papilla Cells

research Arctiin Blocks Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Senescence and Cell Death Through MicroRNA Expression Changes in Human Dermal Papilla Cells

25 citations , September 2014 in “Biological Research”

Arctiin helps protect hair cells from damage and death caused by oxidative stress.

Androgen Receptor Accelerates Premature Senescence of Human Dermal Papilla Cells in Association with DNA Damage

Related Research

1 / 1 results

research Temporal-Spatial Activation of Wnt-Signaling Within Type 1 and Type 2 Immunity During Wound Healing

April 2019 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Wnt-signaling is regulated differently in skin cells and immune responses during wound healing.