TLDR SFRP2 boosts Wnt3a/β-catenin signals in hair growth cells, with stronger effects in beard cells than scalp cells.
The 2016 study investigated the role of secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (SFRP2) in hair growth, finding that SFRP2 enhances Wnt3a-mediated β-catenin signalling in human dermal papilla cells, which are crucial for hair growth. The research also discovered that this signalling was significantly higher in beard dermal papilla cells, which have higher SFRP2 expression, compared to scalp hair follicle cells. Additionally, it was shown that SFRP2 levels correlate with the hair-inducing ability of 3D cultured dermal papilla cells. The study used scalp specimens from patients undergoing hair transplantation surgery and beard specimens obtained by punch biopsies.
9 citations,
October 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” The OVOL1 gene, controlled by β-catenin, is crucial for creating hair follicles.
171 citations,
July 2007 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” A substance called DKK-1 increases in balding areas and causes hair cells to die when exposed to DHT.
41 citations,
June 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Beard and scalp hair cells have different gene expressions, which may affect beard growth characteristics.
1 citations,
July 2022 in “British Journal of Dermatology” Targeting specific genes in certain pathways may help treat male pattern baldness.
54 citations,
April 2019 in “Journal of cellular physiology” miR-218-5p helps skin and hair growth by targeting SFRP2 and activating a specific signaling pathway.
2 citations,
November 2023 in “Biomolecules” WNT signaling is crucial for skin development and healing.
12 citations,
October 2021 in “Cells” Targeting a protein that blocks hair growth with microRNAs could lead to new hair loss treatments, but more research is needed.
2 citations,
November 2022 in “Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity” Exosomes from dermal papilla cells help hair follicle stem cells grow and survive.
