Protease Nexin-1 Is Expressed in Human Dermal Papilla Cells and Is Affected by Androgen

The document reports that Protease Nexin-1 (PN-1), a serine protease inhibitor known to regulate cell growth, differentiation, and death, is expressed in human dermal papilla cells (DPC) and its expression is influenced by androgens. The study involved DPCs derived from beard (n=2), balding scalp (n=3), and non-balding scalp (n=4) hair follicles. The researchers found that PN-1 messages were present in all types of cells. Further, they discovered that the expression of PN-1 was negatively regulated by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) in a dose-dependent manner in two DPCs from balding scalp. This suggests that PN-1 may play a role in controlling hair growth in humans and could be involved in the development of male pattern baldness.