Thymosin Beta-4 Induces Mouse Hair Growth

June 2015 in “ PLoS ONE ”

Xiaoyu Gao, Hao Liang, Fang Hou, Zhipeng Zhang, Nuo MingTu, Xudong Guo, Dongjun Liu

Thymosin beta-4 Tβ4 hair growth hair follicle development Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor VEGF P38/ERK/AKT signaling pathway

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Thymosin Beta 4 →

Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor →

Studysummary This study found that thymosin beta-4 overexpression in mice increased hair growth speed and density, likely by regulating P38/ERK/AKT signaling through VEGF expression.

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The study investigated the role of Thymosin beta-4 (Tβ4) in hair growth using mice models and found that Tβ4 significantly promoted hair growth and hair follicle development. Mice overexpressing Tβ4 showed faster hair regrowth and more clustered hair follicles, while Tβ4 knockout mice exhibited slower regrowth and fewer hair shafts. The study revealed that Tβ4 increased the expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) and activated the P38/ERK/AKT signaling pathway, suggesting that Tβ4 could be a potential target for hair loss treatment. However, further clinical studies were needed to explore its therapeutic potential.

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Research cited in this study

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research VEGF Induces Proliferation of Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells Through VEGFR-2-Mediated Activation of ERK

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This study found that VEGF stimulates the proliferation of human hair follicle dermal papilla cells via the VEGFR-2/ERK pathway, without involving p38, JNK, or AKT signaling.

research Over-Expression of Thymosin Beta4 Promotes Abnormal Tooth Development and Stimulation of Hair Growth

34 citations , December 2009 in “The International Journal of Developmental Biology”

In this study, thymosin beta4 over-expression in transgenic mice was linked to accelerated hair growth and abnormal tooth development, suggesting roles in hair and tooth physiology.

research Thymosin Beta 4 Induces Hair Growth Via Stem Cell Migration And Differentiation

53 citations , September 2007 in “Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences”

The researchers reported that thymosin beta 4 promotes hair growth in various rat and mice models by influencing follicle stem cell growth, migration, and differentiation.

research Promotive Effect of Minoxidil Combined with All-Trans Retinoic Acid (Tretinoin) on Human Hair Growth In Vitro

41 citations , January 2007 in “Journal of Korean Medical Science”

This study found that combining minoxidil with all-trans retinoic acid additively promoted hair growth in vitro by activating certain cell survival pathways and reducing apoptosis markers more effectively than minoxidil alone.

research Thymosin Beta 4 Promotes Angiogenesis, Wound Healing, and Hair Follicle Development

118 citations , December 2003 in “Mechanisms of Ageing and Development”

Thymosin β4 helps heal wounds, grow hair, and improve blood vessel formation.

research Thymosin Beta 4 Increases Hair Growth by Activation of Hair Follicle Stem Cells

98 citations , December 2003 in “The FASEB Journal”

In this study, thymosin beta4 was found to stimulate hair growth in normal rats and mice by affecting key processes in the hair follicle cycle, such as stem cell migration and extracellular matrix remodeling.

research Control of Hair Growth and Follicle Size by VEGF-Mediated Angiogenesis

520 citations , February 2001 in “Journal of Clinical Investigation”

This study found that VEGF significantly enhances perifollicular vascularization during the hair growth phase, accelerating hair regrowth and increasing follicle and hair size, while its inhibition retards hair growth.

research A Murine Model for Inducing and Manipulating Hair Follicle Regression: Effects of Dexamethasone and Cyclosporin A

124 citations , August 1994 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that applying dexamethasone to mice induced catagen-like follicle changes significantly earlier and more consistently than a vehicle, such changes being useful for studying hair follicle regression.

research Melanogenesis Is Coupled to Murine Anagen: New Concepts for the Role of Melanocytes and Regulation of Melanogenesis in Hair Growth

109 citations , July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Hair color production is closely linked to the active growth phase of hair in mice and may also influence hair growth itself.

Melanogenesis Is Coupled to Murine Anagen: Toward New Concepts for the Role of Melanocytes and the Regulation of Melanogenesis in Hair Growth

research Melanogenesis Is Coupled to Murine Anagen: Toward New Concepts for the Role of Melanocytes and the Regulation of Melanogenesis in Hair Growth

210 citations , July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review discusses the role of intrinsic skin signals, rather than serum signals, in regulating melanin synthesis and hair pigmentation, but reports no new experimental data.