RORA Regulates Autophagy in Hair Follicle Stem Cells by Upregulating the Expression Level of the Sqstm1 Gene

The study explores the role of RORA in regulating autophagy in hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) by upregulating the Sqstm1 gene. Using a rat model, researchers found that activation of RORA with the agonist SR1078 significantly increased autophagy markers, such as the LC3-II/LC3-I ratio and SQSTM1 protein levels. This suggests that RORA enhances autophagy through direct binding to the Sqstm1 gene promoter, promoting selective autophagy in HFSCs. These findings highlight RORA's potential as a target for hair follicle development research and offer insights into treating conditions like alopecia.