TLDR HIV-1 may cause increased stem cell death in hair follicles, leading to hair loss.
The study from 2006 examined the link between HIV-1 infection and increased apoptosis in follicular stem cells, which may contribute to diffuse alopecia. Involving 15 HIV-1-infected patients and 12 controls, the research utilized double-staining techniques to detect apoptosis and found that 80% of HIV-1 patients had apoptotic stem cells in their hair follicles compared to 25% of controls. The study suggested that the HIV-1 viral protein R (Vpr) could be causing this increased apoptosis by interfering with the cell cycle and inducing caspase activity. The results indicated that this stem cell apoptosis might be a factor in the hair loss seen in HIV-1-infected individuals, although the study had a small sample size.
38 citations,
August 1999 in “New England journal of medicine/The New England journal of medicine” Indinavir can cause hair loss and other skin problems.
46 citations,
January 1996 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology” People with late-stage HIV-1 often experience a specific type of hair loss linked to multiple factors, including nutritional issues and immune responses.
May 2019 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Age-related hair loss is linked to the decline and dysfunction of hair follicle stem cells.
24 citations,
November 2013 in “Trends in pharmacological sciences” Increasing ABC transporters in hair follicles may prevent chemotherapy-induced hair loss.
218 citations,
January 2013 in “The Lancet Oncology” Chemotherapy causes hair loss by damaging hair follicles and stem cells, with more research needed for prevention and treatment.
236 citations,
July 2001 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine” Future hair loss treatments should aim to extend hair growth, reactivate resting follicles, reverse shrinkage, and possibly create new follicles, with gene therapy showing promise.
