Investigating the Role of Various Extracellular Matrix in Androgenetic Alopecia: Insights from Immunostaining and Quantitative Analysis - A Pilot Study

This pilot study investigates the role of extracellular matrix (ECM) components in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) by analyzing scalp tissues from 27 individuals. The study reveals significant differences in ECM composition between male and female AGA patients. In males, there is an increase in collagen I and elastin levels, particularly in the lower reticular dermis, while females show a decrease in collagen III in the papillary and upper reticular dermis, with increased elastin in the lower reticular dermis. These findings suggest that ECM alterations may contribute to the pathogenesis of AGA, with potential implications for targeted therapies. However, the study's limited sample size may affect the generalizability of the results, and further research is needed to explore the hormonal and environmental factors influencing these ECM changes.