Telomere Dynamics and Telomerase in the Biology of Hair Follicles and Their Stem Cells as a Model for Aging Research

The document reviews the role of telomere length and telomerase in hair follicle biology, particularly in relation to aging and hair loss. Telomeres, the protective ends of chromosomes, shorten over time, a process linked to aging. Telomerase, an enzyme that extends telomeres, is found in high levels in stem cells, including those in hair follicles. In telomerase-deficient mice, short telomeres resulted in early hair loss and graying. The document suggests that human hair follicles could serve as a model for research into telomere dynamics, potentially leading to new treatments for hair disorders. However, it's unclear if these findings in mice translate to humans. The document also discusses the potential negative impact of chemotherapy on telomerase activity and telomere length, suggesting that pretreatment with topically applied telomerase inducers could reduce the risk of permanent hair loss due to cancer therapy.