Sex Hormones and Antiandrogens Influence In Vitro Growth of Dermal Papilla Cells and Outer Root Sheath Keratinocytes of Human Hair Follicles

In a study from July 1993, researchers investigated the effects of sex hormones and antiandrogens on the growth of human hair follicle cells in vitro. They cultured cells from the anagen hair bulb papillae, dermal fibroblasts, and keratinocytes, and treated them with varying concentrations of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, cyproterone acetate, and 17 alpha-propylmesterolone. Testosterone and dihydrotestosterone at 345 nM significantly reduced the proliferation of papilla cells and outer root sheath keratinocytes compared to controls. Low doses of 17 beta-estradiol had no effect, while 180 nM increased growth velocities of all cell types, particularly papilla cells. Low doses of cyproterone acetate and 17 alpha-propylmesterolone enhanced growth, but high doses inhibited it. The presence of androgens neutralized the growth-stimulating effect of antiandrogens. The study concluded that hair follicle cell growth varies with hormone concentrations, and papilla cells and outer root sheath keratinocytes are particularly sensitive to these hormones, supporting the idea of their distinct androgen sensitivity.