22 citations
,
June 2010 in “Experimental Dermatology” This study reported that patients with alopecia areata have reduced expression of the melanocortin receptor MC2R in their scalp tissues compared to normal scalp, indicating potential involvement in the condition's pathophysiology.
7 citations
,
October 2010 in “Medical Hypotheses” Alopecia areata may involve stress-related changes affecting hormone receptors, leading to reduced cortisol production.
60 citations
,
August 2005 in “Endocrinology” This study suggests that αMSH may play a regulatory role in human dermal papilla cells, potentially influencing immune and inflammatory responses in hair follicles, which could contribute to inflammatory alopecia.
489 citations
,
June 2005 in “The FASEB Journal” This study found that human scalp hair follicles can respond to corticotropin releasing hormone stimulation similarly to the classical HPA axis, including up-regulating cortisol production and activating neuroendocrine feedback loops.
9 citations
,
June 2020 in “BMC Molecular and Cell Biology” This study found that stress hormones, particularly CRF, can inhibit hair growth and induce hair loss by affecting human dermal papilla cells and hair follicles, suggesting a functional HPA axis in these cells.