Silencing Key Players of Androgenetic Alopecia Pathogenesis in Healthy Human Hair Follicles Ex Vivo Highlights the Hair Growth Inhibitory Effect of SFRP1

September 2025 in “ Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology ”

David Broadley, Alizée Le Riche, Yingyan Yu, Hanieh Erdmann, Mikhail Geyfman, Neil J. Poloso, J. Edelkamp, Marta Bertolini

androgen receptor androgenetic alopecia SFRP1 DKK1 anagen phase keratinocyte proliferation apoptosis Wnt-signaling pathways male pattern hair loss hair growth

TLDR Reducing SFRP1 can promote hair growth and may help treat hair loss.

This study investigates the role of androgen receptor (AR)-regulated genes in male pattern hair loss by examining their expression in human hair follicles ex vivo. The research highlights the expression of SFRP1 and DKK1 in different hair follicle compartments and their compensatory relationship. Knockdown of SFRP1 alone was found to prolong the anagen phase, increase keratinocyte proliferation, and decrease apoptosis, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic target for hair loss management. However, combined knockdown of SFRP1 and DKK1 did not provide additional benefits, emphasizing the complexity of targeting Wnt-signaling pathways for hair growth.

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