Reconstructing Protein Conformations to Activate Follicular Enzyme-Nutrient Reservoirs for Reversing Follicle Aging

May 2026 in “ Bioactive Materials ”

Shifeng Ling, M D Liu, Chen Meng, Kaifeng Huo, Yida Wang, Yixiang Zhang, Yingying Wei, Lucia Zhou, Yawei Du, Wenguo Cui

Studysummary This study reported that in degenerative alopecia, Zn²⁺/Cu²⁺-dependent proteases are downregulated and destabilized, and a specially developed microneedle patch reactivated these enzymes, reduced senescence, and enhanced hair regeneration in an animal model.

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Hyaluronic Acid Microneedles Enhance Transdermal Delivery of Minoxidil Derivatives with 1,2,4-Oxadiazole-5-One Unit for Effective Hair Regeneration: Insights from X-Ray Crystallography and Animal Models

research Hyaluronic Acid Microneedles Enhance Transdermal Delivery of Minoxidil Derivatives with 1,2,4-Oxadiazole-5-One Unit for Effective Hair Regeneration: Insights from X-Ray Crystallography and Animal Models

October 2025 in “Journal of Molecular Structure”

Hyaluronic acid microneedles help deliver minoxidil derivatives effectively for hair regrowth.

research The Dual Nature of Cellular Senescence: From Aging Signature to Regenerative Catalyst

January 2025 in “Research”

This perspective highlights research suggesting that cellular senescence in melanocytes may unexpectedly aid hair regeneration by activating hair follicle stem cells, challenging traditional views of senescence as purely detrimental.

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”

This study found that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) promoted hair regeneration in androgenetic alopecia model mice by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, enhancing hair follicle stem cell proliferation, and reducing dermal papilla cell apoptosis.

research Local and Systemic Mechanisms That Control the Hair Follicle Stem Cell Niche

74 citations , October 2023 in “Nature Reviews Molecular Cell Biology”

research Human Hair Follicle-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Promote Tendon Repair in a Rabbit Achilles Tendinopathy Model

April 2023 in “Chinese Medical Journal”

In this study, human hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells promoted Achilles tendon repair in rabbits by upregulating collagen types I and III, suggesting potential as a treatment for tendinopathy.

research Advances in Microneedles Research Based on Promoting Hair Regrowth

1 citations , December 2022 in “Journal of Controlled Release”

This review summarizes recent research on microneedles for alopecia treatment and hair regrowth, noting their potential to improve drug delivery and patient outcomes, but reports no new clinical results.

research Aging of Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Their Niches

2 citations , November 2022 in “Journal of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology”

This review discusses how aging affects hair follicle stem cells and their environment, contributing to hair loss, and explores strategies to promote hair regrowth, but reports no new results.

research Microneedling for Hair Loss

9 citations , October 2021 in “Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology”

This study found that microneedling monotherapy significantly increased hair count more than topical minoxidil in androgenetic alopecia, with combination therapy of microneedling and minoxidil being even more effective. Further research is needed to evaluate microneedling's safety and efficacy as a monotherapy.

research Minoxidil: A Comprehensive Review

16 citations , June 2021 in “Journal of Dermatological Treatment”

This study reported that while topical minoxidil exhibits hair regrowth in androgenetic alopecia, oral minoxidil 5 mg/day was more effective than topical forms after six months, with low doses also potentially effective for women and other hair loss types.

research Functional Hair Follicle Regeneration: An Updated Review

42 citations , February 2021 in “Signal Transduction and Targeted Therapy”

This review discusses potential cell sources and bioengineering strategies for regenerating hair follicles with functional cycling, reporting no new results.

research Getting Under the Skin of Hair Aging: The Impact of the Hair Follicle Environment

20 citations , May 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This review discusses age-related changes in scalp skin and their potential effects on hair follicle aging, but reports no new clinical results, calling for further investigation.

research A Therapeutic Microneedle Patch Made from Hair-Derived Keratin for Promoting Hair Regrowth

192 citations , April 2019 in “ACS nano”

In a mouse model, this study demonstrated that a microneedle patch system using keratin and integrated with MSC-derived exosomes and UK5099 promoted hair regrowth more efficiently than traditional delivery methods.

research Histopathology of Aging of the Hair Follicle

31 citations , April 2019 in “Journal of Cutaneous Pathology”

This review discusses the changes in hair follicles with aging, particularly graying due to decreased melanocyte activity, and suggests potential for hair repigmentation under certain conditions, but reports no new results.

research Aging in Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Niche Microenvironment

38 citations , June 2017 in “The Journal of Dermatology”

This review synthesizes recent findings on the hair follicle stem cell niche and its complex interactions, exploring potential pathways for developing new hair growth therapies; it reports no new clinical results.