Transcriptome Profiling of Pilosebaceous Units in Male Androgenetic Alopecia Reveals Altered Junctional Networks
February 2021
in “
Journal of Investigative Dermatology
”
androgenetic alopecia pilosebaceous units gene expression hair follicle development signaling pathways cytokines prostaglandins junctional proteins cadherin-based junctional complexes adherens junctions desmosomes gap junctions tight junctions male pattern baldness PU genes hair growth cell signaling immune proteins PGs cell junctions cadherin cell adhesion cell connections cell communication cell barriers
TLDR Hair loss in male pattern baldness is linked to changes in specific genes and proteins that affect hair growth and scalp health.
In this study, researchers aimed to understand the specific processes responsible for hair loss in male androgenetic alopecia. They analyzed the gene expression in pilosebaceous units (PU) isolated from the scalps of 10 volunteers with male androgenetic alopecia. They found 1,336 differentially expressed genes, with 366 genes showing at least a two-fold change between balding and control samples. The analysis revealed deregulation in gene ontology terms associated with hair follicle development, signaling pathways, and imbalances in cytokines and PGs. The study also highlighted a significant alteration in the expression of junctional proteins in alopecia regions, particularly cadherin-based junctional complexes. The expression of genes related to adherens junctions, desmosomes, gap junctions, and tight junctions was significantly decreased in balding PUs. These findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying male androgenetic alopecia.
