Protease Activity, Localization, and Inhibition in the Human Hair Follicle

August 2013 in “ International Journal of Cosmetic Science ”

Ranjit Bhogal, Peter E. Mouser, Claire A. Higgins, G. A. Turner

protease serine protease immunohistochemistry ex vivo skin model protease inhibitor Trichogen climbazole hair follicle hair shedding club roots

Studysummary This study found that a combination of Trichogen and climbazole may inhibit protease activity and increase the force required to remove human hair, suggesting potential to reduce excessive hair shedding. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study investigated the role of proteases in human hair shedding by examining naturally shed hairs for protease activity and protein expression. Protease activity was confirmed in the tissue surrounding club roots, and specific serine protease proteins were localized in the hair follicle using immunohistochemistry. The researchers developed an ex vivo skin model to measure the force needed to pull hair from skin, and tested a novel protease inhibitor system (Trichogen and climbazole) on hair fibre club root extracts from various ethnic groups and both genders. The inhibitor system was found to increase the force required to remove hair, suggesting its potential to inhibit proteolytic activity and reduce excessive hair shedding.

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Research cited in this study

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research From Telogen to Exogen: Mechanisms Underlying Formation and Subsequent Loss of the Hair Club Fiber

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This review discusses the shedding phase of the hair cycle, known as exogen, and reports no new findings while analyzing related processes like club fiber formation and release.

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In this study, researchers used a rodent model to uncover key changes in how hair fibers detach, suggesting that the exogen phase should be subdivided based on club fiber status.

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This study identified a distinct "exogen" phase in the hair cycle during which hair shedding occurs, primarily coupled with the anagen phase, rather than as part of the telogen phase.

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research The Lysosomal Protease Cathepsin L Is an Important Regulator of Keratinocyte and Melanocyte Differentiation During Hair Follicle Morphogenesis and Cycling

146 citations , May 2002 in “The American journal of pathology”

This study found that cathepsin L deficiency in mice led to significant abnormalities in hair follicle development and cycling, including disrupted hair shaft outgrowth and premature hair growth phase entry.

research Localization of Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 2 in Hair and Nail: Implications for Terminal Differentiation

42 citations , June 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study observed that PAI-2 is consistently expressed in differentiating cells of murine hair and nail, suggesting it may function as a marker of differentiation and possibly protect against premature cell death.

research Psychological Effects of Androgenetic Alopecia on Women: Comparisons with Balding Men and Female Control Subjects

222 citations , October 1993 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study found that androgenetic alopecia causes significant psychological distress, particularly in women, who exhibit a more negative body image and less adaptive functioning compared to controls.