Stress-Induced Sympathetic Hyperactivation Drives Hair Follicle Necrosis to Trigger Autoimmunity

November 2025 in “ Cell ”

Emily Scott-Solomon, Mark J. Khoury, H. Amalia Pasolli, Adam J. Getzler, Bing Zhang, Judith Agudo, Ruth A. Franklin, Ya-Chieh Hsu

hair follicle necrosis autoimmunity sympathetic hyperactivation norepinephrine hair follicle transit-amplifying cells hair follicle stem cells macrophages dendritic cells autoreactive T cells calcium homeostasis

Studysummary This study found that acute stress can cause rapid hair loss by triggering necrosis in hair follicle cells and initiating autoimmunity, revealing a mechanism where stress-induced nerve activity leads to tissue damage and immune system activation. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.

The study reveals that acute stress can lead to rapid hair loss and trigger autoimmunity by causing necrosis in hair follicle transit-amplifying cells (HF-TACs) due to excessive norepinephrine release from hyperactivated sympathetic nerves. This necrosis releases cellular debris that activates immune responses, including autoreactive T cells, which can attack hair follicles under inflammatory conditions, contributing to conditions like alopecia areata. The research highlights the role of stress as a physiological trigger for autoimmunity, suggesting that managing stress and sympathetic activity could be crucial in preventing hair loss and related autoimmune disorders. The study used various mouse models and experimental techniques to analyze immune cell behavior and sympathetic activation, emphasizing the importance of stress management in maintaining hair follicle health.

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