Increased Expression of Zyxin and Its Potential Function in Androgenetic Alopecia

January 2021 in “ Frontiers in Cell and Developmental Biology ”

Qing-Mei Liu, Xiangguang Shi, Yue Zhang, Yan Huang, Kai Yang, Yulong Tang, Yanyun Ma, Yuting Zhang, Ji'an Wang, Li Zhang, Qi Zhang, Xiao Liu, Jingyu Lin, Jing Wang, Wenyu Wu

Zyxin ZYX androgenetic alopecia hair follicles dermal papilla cells hair regrowth hair shaft catagen DPC proliferation hair follicle miniaturization AGA HFs DPCs

TLDR Inhibiting Zyxin may help treat androgenetic alopecia by promoting hair growth.

The study found that Zyxin (ZYX) expression was significantly upregulated in the frontal hair follicles (HFs) and dermal papilla cells (DPCs) of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) patients. Using 20 paired HF tissues, researchers observed a ~2-fold increase in ZYX mRNA levels in the frontal HFs compared to unaffected occipital HFs. ZYX deletion in mice promoted hair regrowth, evidenced by longer and thicker hair shafts, increased bulb diameter, and thicker skin. Knockdown of ZYX in human HFs and DPCs led to increased hair shaft production, delayed catagen entry, and enhanced DPC proliferation. These findings suggest that ZYX plays a stimulatory role in AGA and that its inhibition could be a potential therapeutic target for promoting hair growth and preventing hair follicle miniaturization.

View this study on frontiersin.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

14 / 14 results

research Culture and Differentiation of Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla Cells in a Soft 3D Self-Assembling Peptide Scaffold

29 citations, April 2020 in “Biomolecules”

The 3D scaffold helped maintain hair cell traits and could improve hair loss treatments.

research Alpha-Parvin Is Required for Epidermal Morphogenesis, Hair Follicle Development, and Basal Keratinocyte Polarity

7 citations, March 2020 in “PloS one”

α-parvin is necessary for skin and hair growth and for the correct orientation of skin cells.

research A Combination of Pyridine-2, 4-Dicarboxylic Acid Diethyl Ester and Resveratrol Stabilizes Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-Alpha and Improves Hair Density in Female Volunteers

8 citations, January 2020 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

The combination of specific chemicals improves hair density in women.

Androgenetic Alopecia: Combing the Hair Follicle Signaling Pathways for New Therapeutic Targets and More Effective Treatment Options

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Combing the Hair Follicle Signaling Pathways for New Therapeutic Targets and More Effective Treatment Options

19 citations, August 2019 in “Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets”

New treatments for hair loss may target specific pathways and generate new hair follicles.

Insights into Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Differential Gene Expression Profiling of Plucked Hair Follicles and Integration with Genetic Data

research Insights into Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Differential Gene Expression Profiling of Plucked Hair Follicles and Integration with Genetic Data

7 citations, July 2018 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Gene differences found in hair follicles linked to male baldness.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: A Review

153 citations, March 2017 in “Endocrine”

Male pattern baldness involves genetics, hormones, and needs better treatments.

Infundibular Protein and RNA Microarray Analyses from Affected and Clinically Non-Affected Scalp in Male Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

research Infundibular Protein and RNA Microarray Analyses from Affected and Clinically Non-Affected Scalp in Male Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

8 citations, March 2017 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Finasteride helps female-pattern hair loss.

Differential Expression Between Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding and Non-Balding Scalps Reveals New Candidate Genes for Androgenetic Alopecia

research Differential Expression Between Human Dermal Papilla Cells from Balding and Non-Balding Scalps Reveals New Candidate Genes for Androgenetic Alopecia

46 citations, April 2016 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

New genes found linked to balding, may help develop future treatments.

Proteomic Analysis of Balding and Non-Balding Mesenchyme-Derived Dermal Papilla Cells from Androgenetic Alopecia Patients Using Online Two-Dimensional Reversed Phase-Reversed Phase LC-MS/MS

research Proteomic Analysis of Balding and Non-Balding Mesenchyme-Derived Dermal Papilla Cells from Androgenetic Alopecia Patients Using Online Two-Dimensional Reversed Phase-Reversed Phase LC-MS/MS

11 citations, April 2013 in “Journal of Proteomics”

Found different proteins in balding and non-balding cells, giving insight into hair loss causes.

research Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Cells

321 citations, December 2009 in “Journal of Dermatological Science”

Dermal cells are key in controlling hair growth and could potentially be used in hair loss treatments, but more research is needed to improve hair regeneration methods.

The Enhancement of Dermal Papilla Cell Aggregation by Extracellular Matrix Proteins Through Effects on Cell–Substratum Adhesivity and Cell Motility

research The Enhancement of Dermal Papilla Cell Aggregation by Extracellular Matrix Proteins Through Effects on Cell–Substratum Adhesivity and Cell Motility

44 citations, June 2009 in “Biomaterials”

Skin cell clumping for hair growth is improved by a protein called fibronectin, which helps cells stick and move better.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: Clinical Features, Classification, and Treatments

103 citations, June 2007 in “Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinics of North America”

Male pattern hair loss is genetic and influenced by hormones, with treatments like minoxidil and surgery available.

Human Hair Growth Ex Vivo Is Correlated With In Vivo Hair Growth: Selective Categorization of Hair Follicles for More Reliable Hair Follicle Organ Culture

research Human Hair Growth Ex Vivo Is Correlated With In Vivo Hair Growth: Selective Categorization of Hair Follicles for More Reliable Hair Follicle Organ Culture

27 citations, November 2005 in “Archives of Dermatological Research”

Choosing hair follicles at the same growth stage leads to more consistent hair growth experiments.

research Androgenetic Alopecia in Men Aged 40-69 Years: Prevalence and Risk Factors

155 citations, December 2003 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

Hair loss increases with age; alcohol raises risk, more female partners lowers it.

Related Research

6 / 6 results

research Hair Follicle Dermal Stem Cells Regenerate the Dermal Sheath, Repopulate the Dermal Papilla, and Modulate Hair Type

184 citations, November 2014 in “Developmental Cell”

Hair follicle dermal stem cells are key for regenerating parts of the hair follicle and determining hair type.

research Beta-Catenin Activity in the Dermal Papilla Regulates Morphogenesis and Regeneration of Hair

314 citations, April 2010 in “Developmental Cell”

β-catenin in the dermal papilla is crucial for normal hair growth and repair.

Towards Dissecting the Pathogenesis of Retinoid-Induced Hair Loss: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces Premature Hair Follicle Regression by Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in the Dermal Papilla

research Towards Dissecting the Pathogenesis of Retinoid-Induced Hair Loss: All-Trans Retinoic Acid Induces Premature Hair Follicle Regression by Upregulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β2 in the Dermal Papilla

92 citations, June 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

All-trans retinoic acid causes hair loss by increasing TGF-β2 in hair follicle cells.