TLDR Higher levels of the DP2 receptor may lead to hair loss.
In a 2019 study, researchers discovered that the prostaglandin D2 receptor 2 (DP2 receptor) is highly expressed during the early catagen phase of the hair cycle in mice, a period when hair follicles start to regress. They demonstrated that reducing DP2 receptor expression in human hair follicles through siRNA could inhibit the transition from the growth phase (anagen) to the regression phase (catagen), indicating the receptor's role in hair growth inhibition. Furthermore, cells from the outer root sheath (ORS) and dermal papilla (DP) of patients with male pattern baldness showed increased levels of DP2 receptor expression compared to those from non-balding individuals. These results imply that the PGD2-DP2 receptor pathway might be a potential target for hair loss prevention treatments. However, the exact number of human samples used in the study was not mentioned in the summary.
11 citations
,
May 2016 in “Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology” A substance called 15-deoxy prostaglandin J2 can cause hair follicle cells to die, which might explain how prostaglandin D2 can lead to hair loss.
57 citations
,
February 2014 in “Experimental Dermatology” Prostaglandin D₂ might be targeted for new male pattern baldness treatments.
43 citations
,
October 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Organotypic culture systems can grow skin tissues that mimic real skin functions and are useful for skin disease and hair growth research, but they don't fully replicate skin complexity.
68 citations
,
November 2012 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Prostaglandin D2 blocks new hair growth after skin injury through the Gpr44 receptor.
205 citations
,
March 2012 in “Science Translational Medicine” PGD2 stops hair growth and is higher in bald men with AGA.
385 citations
,
November 1990 in “Journal of Cell Science” Human hair follicles can grow in a lab setting.
205 citations
,
March 2012 in “Science Translational Medicine” PGD2 stops hair growth and is higher in bald men with AGA.
30 citations
,
May 2018 in “Experimental Dermatology” The conclusion is that future hair loss treatments should target the root causes of hair thinning, not just promote hair growth.
September 2023 in “Medicina-lithuania” The study suggests that analyzing DNA can help treat hair loss, but more research is needed.
January 2025 in “Dermatologic Therapy” Targeting multiple pathways may improve treatments for androgenetic alopecia.
11 citations
,
May 2016 in “Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology” A substance called 15-deoxy prostaglandin J2 can cause hair follicle cells to die, which might explain how prostaglandin D2 can lead to hair loss.
