TLDR Mice with a changed Hr gene lose and regrow hair due to changes in the gene's activity.
In the 2017 study, researchers created transgenic mice overexpressing a mutant hairless (Hr) gene to explore its role in hair follicle development and hair loss. They developed three transgenic lines, with two (TG3 and TG8) exhibiting cycles of hair loss and regrowth. This pattern was associated with alternating levels of HR protein expression. The mutant Hr gene was found to suppress the expression of the endogenous Hr gene, leading to alopecia. However, as the expression of the mutant Hr gene decreased, the endogenous gene's expression increased, allowing hair to regrow. These results suggest that fluctuations in Hr gene expression can directly influence hair loss and regrowth.
7 citations,
December 2015 in “International Journal of Dermatology” New and known mutations in the hairless gene cause a hair loss condition called Atrichia with papular lesions.
10 citations,
January 2010 in “Veterinary pathology” A new mutation in the hairless gene causes hair loss and skin wrinkling in mice.
181 citations,
January 2009 in “Nature Genetics” Certain mutations in a hair growth-related gene cause a type of genetic hair loss.
30 citations,
January 2009 in “Nuclear Receptor Signaling” Hairless protein is crucial for healthy skin and hair, and its malfunction can cause hair loss.
137 citations,
September 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America” The HR protein helps hair grow by blocking a hair growth inhibitor, aiding in hair follicle regeneration.
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.
17 citations,
May 2012 in “Journal of biological chemistry/The Journal of biological chemistry” Hairless protein affects hair follicle structure by regulating the Dlx3 gene.
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.
