Spatial Transcriptome Profiling Reveals TGFβ-2 in Hair Follicle Progenitor Cells Is a Potential Driver of Androgenetic Alopecia

    April 2023 in “ Journal of Investigative Dermatology ”
    S. Charoensuksira, J. Pongklaokam, S. Tantiwong, S. Hanvivattanakul, P. Surinlert, S. Ponnikorn
    Studysummary This study identified TGFβ-2 as a potential driver of progenitor cell loss in hair follicles from early androgenetic alopecia scalps, suggesting its role in the condition's molecular disturbances.
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    This study investigates the molecular mechanisms behind progenitor (PG) cell loss in androgenetic alopecia (AGA) using spatial transcriptome profiling of human scalp samples. Researchers used NanoString GeoMxTM Whole Transcriptome Atlas to compare gene expression in PG regions from early AGA and control scalps, identifying 197 differentially expressed genes. Pathway enrichment analysis highlighted transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) production as a significantly disturbed process, with TGFB2 identified as a potential upstream regulator. Immunohistochemistry confirmed increased TGFβ-2 in AGA samples, suggesting TGFβ-2 as a potential driver of PG cell loss in AGA.
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