SnapshotDx Quiz: August 2019

July 2019 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”

Chloe Goldman, Sonali Nanda, Mariya Miteva

androgenetic alopecia AGA androgen-induced follicular miniaturization premature catagen entry shortened anagen phase microRNAs mRNAs RORA hair density hair regrowth gene regions AGA risk allele genome-wide significant AGA risk variants male pattern baldness hair loss hair thinning

TLDR The research found that male pattern hair loss is mostly genetic and involves hair thinning due to hormonal effects and changes in gene expression.

In 2019, Hochfeld et al. conducted a study on male androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the most common cause of hair loss in men. The study, which involved 24 male human donors, found that AGA is androgen-dependent and highly heritable, typically presenting with gradual hair loss from the frontotemporal and vertex of the scalp. The main pathogenic mechanisms in AGA were identified as androgen-induced follicular miniaturization and premature catagen entry due to a shortened anagen phase. The study also revealed differential expression of microRNAs and mRNAs in plucked hair follicles, with most microRNAs showing higher expression and most mRNAs showing lower expression in frontal hair follicles. Six previously unreported gene regions for AGA were identified. The study also found a significant relationship between the AGA risk allele and increased expression of RORA, a gene involved in hair density and regrowth. Despite identifying over 300 genome-wide significant AGA risk variants, their functional effects on AGA's pathogenesis remained unclear.

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Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Variant PADI3 in Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

95 citations, February 2019 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

Mutations in the PADI3 gene are linked to a higher risk of scarring hair loss in women of African descent.

Insights into Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Differential Gene Expression Profiling of Plucked Hair Follicles and Integration with Genetic Data

research Insights into Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Differential Gene Expression Profiling of Plucked Hair Follicles and Integration with Genetic Data

7 citations, July 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Gene differences found in hair follicles linked to male baldness.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

153 citations, March 2017 in “Endocrine”

Male pattern baldness involves genetics, hormones, and needs better treatments.

research Meta-Analysis Identifies Novel Risk Loci and Yields Systematic Insights into the Biology of Male-Pattern Baldness

64 citations, March 2017 in “Nature communications”

Researchers found 63 genes linked to male-pattern baldness, which could help in understanding its biology and developing new treatments.

research Hunting the Genes in Male-Pattern Alopecia: How Important Are They, How Close Are We and What Will They Tell Us?

46 citations, February 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Genes play a significant role in male-pattern baldness, and understanding them could lead to new treatments and insights into related health issues.

research Dermatoscopic Features of Central Centrifugal Cicatricial Alopecia

64 citations, June 2014 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Researchers found a white halo around hair in most patients with a specific type of hair loss, which helps in early diagnosis and treatment.

research Androgen Actions on the Human Hair Follicle: Perspectives

115 citations, September 2012 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Androgens have complex effects on hair growth, promoting it in some areas but causing hair loss in others, and our understanding of this is still evolving.

research Six Novel Susceptibility Loci for Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia and Their Unexpected Association with Common Diseases

87 citations, May 2012 in “PLOS Genetics”

Six new genetic regions linked to early hair loss also connect to Parkinson's disease and prostate cancer, possibly leading to new treatments.

research Eph/Ephrin Signaling in Epidermal Differentiation and Disease

42 citations, October 2011 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology”

Eph/ephrin signaling is important for skin cell behavior and could be targeted to treat skin diseases.

research Ephrin-A3 Increases Hair Follicle Density and Accelerates Anagen Development in Neonatal Mice

15 citations, July 2008 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Ephrin-A3 helps increase and speed up hair growth in baby mice.

research Hormonal Regulation of Hair Follicles Exhibits a Biological Paradox

98 citations, February 2007 in “Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology”

Androgens can both stimulate and cause hair loss, and understanding their effects is key to treating hair disorders.

research Different Gene Expression Profile Observed in Dermal Papilla Cells Related to Androgenic Alopecia by DNA Macroarray Analysis

47 citations, July 2004 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Hair loss in balding individuals is linked to changes in specific hair growth-related genes.

Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

research Different Levels of 5α-Reductase Type I and II, Aromatase, and Androgen Receptor in Hair Follicles of Women and Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

416 citations, September 1997 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

People with hair loss have more androgen receptors and enzymes in certain follicles, with men and women showing different patterns.

research Chronic Telogen Effluvium: Increased Scalp Hair Shedding in Middle-Aged Women

234 citations, December 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Middle-aged women with chronic telogen effluvium experience increased hair shedding but usually don't get significantly thinner hair.

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