Enhancement of Human Hair Growth Using Ecklonia cava Polyphenols

BackgroundEcklonia cava is a brown alga that contains various compounds, including carotenoids, fucoidans, and phlorotannins. E. cava polyphenols (ECPs) are known to increase fibroblast survival. The human dermal papilla cell (hDPC) has the properties of mesenchymal-origin fibroblasts.ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the effect of ECPs on human hair growth promotion in vitro and ex vivo.MethodsMTT assays were conducted to examine the effect of ECPs on hDPC proliferation. Hair growth was measured using ex-vivo hair follicle cultures. Real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression of various growth factors in ECP-treated hDPCs.ResultsTreatment with 10 µg/ml purified polyphenols from E. cava (PPE) enhanced the proliferation of hDPCs 30.3% more than in the negative control (p<0.001). Furthermore, 0.1 µg/ml PPE extended the human hair shaft 30.8% longer than the negative control over 9 days (p<0.05). Insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) mRNA expression increased 3.2-fold in hDPCs following treatment with 6 µg/ml PPE (p<0.05). Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA expression was also increased 2.0-fold by 3 µg/ml PPE (p<0.05). Treatment with 10 µg/ml PPE reduced oxidative stress in hDPCs (p<0.05).ConclusionThese results suggest that PPE could enhance human hair growth. This can be explained by hDPC proliferation coupled with increases in growth factors such as IGF-1 and VEGF. Reducing oxidative stress is also thought to help increase hDPCs. These favorable results suggest that PPE is a promising therapeutic candidate for hair loss.     

Synthesized Ceramide Induces Growth of Dermal Papilla Cells with Potential Contribution to Hair Growth

BackgroundThe ceramide is known to play an important role in the formation of intracellular lipids, and play a crucial role as a barrier for skin and hair cuticle. Recent study has revealed that ceramide has potential effect on hair growth in a mouse model. However, the role of ceramide in human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) known to play an important role in hair growth is not well understood yet.ObjectiveThe goal of this study was to investigate the effect of synthetic ceramides (oleyl and stearyl ceramides) on hair growth using hDPCs.MethodshDPCs were treated with synthesized ceramides. hDPCs viability was evaluated by MTT assay. The expression of hair growth related factors were investigated by western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction and growth factor array. The expression of β-catenin was confirmed by immunofluorescence.ResultsTreatment with ceramides increased the expression of proteins affecting cell proliferation such as Bcl-2, BAX, phosphorylated-ERK and Cyclin D1. Also, ceramides treatment were increased the expression of several growth factors, including epidermal growth factor family, and promote the expression of Wnt/β-catenin and BMP2/4 signaling.ConclusionOur data suggest that synthetic ceramides stimulates hair growth by induction proliferation of hDPCs via modulation of Wnt/β-catenin and BMP2/4 signaling.     

层黏连蛋白、纤连蛋白在人毛囊生长周期中的表达

目的 探讨层黏连蛋白(LM)、纤连蛋白(FN)在毛囊生长周期中的作用.方法 免疫组化S-P法检测LM、FN在毛囊生长期、退行期、休止期的表达.结果 ①生长期毛囊:LM均匀的表达于毛乳头处,在基底膜处呈明显的线状表达,外根鞘处表达也呈明显的阳性;FN均匀表达于毛乳头、基底膜、真皮鞘.②退行期毛囊:LM在毛乳头处少量表达,在基底膜处呈线状表达;FN在毛乳头和基底膜处表达均较生长期明显减少,但仍为阳性.③休止期毛囊:毛乳头浓缩成球点状,LM在毛乳头的表达为阴性,但在基底膜处仍然呈明显的线状表达,且较退行期更明显;FN在毛乳头、真皮鞘、基底膜处表达均为阴性.结论 LM、FN在毛囊的生长期、退行期及休止期的表达随毛囊生长周期而发生周期性变化,LM、FN可能参与毛囊生长周期的调节.     

Effect of Chrysanthemum zawadskii Extract on Dermal Papilla Cell Proliferation and Hair Growth

BackgroundChrysanthemum zawadskii (CZ) belongs to the genus Chrysanthemum, also known as ‘Gu-Jeol-Cho’ in Korea. CZ has been used as herbal remedy to manage cough, hypertensive disorders, pharyngitis, bronchitis, gastroenteritis, pneumonia, bladder diseases and common cold. However, its effect on hair growth has not been documented.ObjectiveThe aim of present study was to elucidate the beneficial effects of CZ on hair growth.MethodsProliferation of follicular dermal papilla (DP) cells from human scalp skin was evaluated by MTT assay. The expression of various molecules in DP cells was checked by western blot assay. Effect of CZ extract on the hair growth was evaluated by hair organ culture and C57BL/6 mice model.ResultsCultivation of DP cells with CZ extract increased cellular proliferation, increased expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), p-ERK, B-cell lymphoma 2, and decreased expression of Bax. Treatment of human hair follicles with CZ extract significantly enhanced hair growth. Additionally, CZ markedly shortened telogen period, increased anagen transformation and stimulated hair growth in the animal study.ConclusionThese results suggest that CZ extract has an effect of promoting hair growth and may therefore be a useful a therapeutic remedy for preventing hair loss.     

真皮干细胞在毛囊周期中的作用

毛囊由表皮(上皮)及真皮(间充质)组成,它们之间的相互作用在毛囊的形态发生及生长中发挥重要作用,二者之间相互作用是毛囊成功重建的关键因素.在毛发形成过程中,真皮细胞是诱导者,上皮细胞是应答者.真皮鞘和毛乳头内存在毛囊真皮干细胞,属于成体干细胞,具有慢周期、未分化、自我更新和体外增殖能力强的特点.真皮鞘中的真皮干细胞较长寿,可以历经几个毛囊周期,重建真皮鞘.在毛囊周期的生长期,真皮鞘中的干细胞产生新细胞提供给毛乳头;在退行期,真皮干细胞子代移出毛乳头或死亡.毛囊真皮细胞对于损伤和疾病之后的毛囊重建及修复具有重要意义.     

Acute Stress-Induced Changes in Follicular Dermal Papilla Cells and Mobilization of Mast Cells: Implications for Hair Growth

BackgroundStress is a known cause of hair loss in many species.ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the role of acute stress on hair growth using a rat model.MethodsRats were immobilized for 24 hours and blood samples, and skin biopsies were taken. The effect of stress-serum on the in vitro proliferation of rat and human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), as well as serum cortisol and corticotropin-releasing hormone levels, were measured. Mast cell staining was performed on the biopsied tissue. In addition, Western blot and quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction were used to assess mast cell tryptase and cytokine expression, respectively in rat skin biopsies.ResultsStress-serum treatment reduced significantly the number of viable hDPCs and arrested the cell cycle in the G1 phase, compared to serum from unrestrained rats (p<0.05, respectively). Moreover, restrained rats had significantly higher levels of cortisol in serum than unrestrained rats (p<0.01). Acute stress serum increased mast cell numbers and mast cell tryptase expression, as well as inducing interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β up-regulation.ConclusionThese results suggest that acute stress also has an inhibitory effect on hair growth via cortisol release in addition to substance P-mast cell pathway.     

Hair follicle expression of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 receptors during the murine hair cycle

Because the hair follicle is a highly hormone-sensitive miniorgan, the role of hormones produced locally in the skin in the control of hair growth deserves systematic analysis. It has been shown previously that the potent steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ (1,25-D₃) modulates growth and differentiation of keratinocytes via binding to a high-affinity nuclear vitamin D receptor (VDR). In this study, we have examined the in situ expression of VDR during the murine hair cycle. VDR expression was detected immunohistochemically. To obtain defined stages of the murine hair cycle, hair growth was induced by depilation in C57 BL-6 mice. In addition to the recognized VDR expression of outer root sheath keratinocytes, we detected VDR immunoreactive cells in the dermal papilla, the mesenchymal key structure of the hair follicle. Furthermore, VDR immunoreactivity in the nuclei of outer root sheath keratinocytes and in dermal papilla cells was stronger during anagen IV-VI and catagen than during telogen and anagen I-III. This suggests hair cycle-associated changes in the expression of VDR, and points to a potential role for 1,25-D₃ in hair follicle biology. Selected follicular cell populations may display hair cycle-dependent sensitivity to 1,25-D₃ stimulation.     

血管生成素在人毛囊中的表达及其对毛发生长的影响

目的 探讨血管生成素在人毛囊中的表达及其意义。方法 分离完整的人生长期毛囊,提取总RNA,RT-PCR法检测血管生成素mRNA的表达,同时应用免疫组化法检测血管生成素蛋白在人毛囊中的表达。在此基础上,在体外培养的人毛囊中加入不同浓度的重组人血管生成素（0 ～ 200 ng/mL）,培养6 d后测量毛囊的生长长度。利用两步酶法分离培养人毛乳头细胞,加入不同浓度的重组人血管生成素（0 ～ 200 ng/mL）,48 h后,MTT法检测细胞增殖,流式细胞仪检测细胞周期。结果 RT-PCR显示人毛囊表达血管生成素mRNA,免疫组化法发现人毛囊的毛乳头和真皮鞘表达血管生成素蛋白。25 ～ 200 ng/mL重组人血管生成素呈浓度依赖性促进体外培养的人毛囊生长（P < 0.05）,而12.5 ～ 200 ng/mL重组人血管生成素能够明显促进体外培养的人毛乳头细胞增殖（P < 0.05）。流式细胞仪检测12.5 ～ 200 ng/mL重组人血管生成素能够显著增加S期细胞比率和细胞增殖指数（P < 0.05）。结论 血管生成素可能是一种促进毛发生长的因子。     

Boehmite enhances hair follicle growth via stimulation of dermal papilla cells by upregulating β-catenin signalling

Hair growth, a complex process, has long been the subject of intense research. Recent developments in material technology have revealed boehmite as a new therapeutic modality for use in wound healing and scar reduction, indicating its beneficial effects. Nonetheless, the biological bases of the beneficial effects of boehmite remain unknown. We investigated the hair growth properties of boehmite in vitro and in vivo and observed dose-dependent proliferation of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) in vitro and hair regrowth in a mouse model. To investigate the effects of boehmite on the promotion of cell transition to the anagen phase, we evaluated hDPC viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity, protein expression and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) secretion in vitro and assessed the anagen-promoting effects of boehmite via gross observation and histological analysis in a mouse model. Boehmite increased hDPC viability, ALP activity, AKT/GSK3ß/ß-catenin pathway activity, anagen-related gene expression and VEGF secretion; moreover, it accelerated hair regrowth in a catagen-anagen transition model via upregulation of β-catenin signalling and follicular cell proliferation. Collectively, our results indicate that boehmite accelerates hair growth, partly via its effects on critical events in the active phase of the hair follicle cycle, including the promotion of the proliferation of hDPCs and their immediate progeny to the follicle base.     

Modulating hair follicle size with Wnt10b/DKK1 during hair regeneration

Hair follicles have characteristic sizes corresponding to their cycle‐specific stage. However, how the anagen hair follicle specifies its size remains elusive. Here, we showed that in response to prolonged ectopic Wnt10b‐mediated β‐catenin activation, regenerating anagen hair follicles grew larger in size. In particular, the hair bulb, dermal papilla and hair shaft became enlarged, while the formation of different hair types (Guard, Awl, Auchene and Zigzag) was unaffected. Interestingly, we found that the effect of exogenous WNT10b was mainly on Zigzag and less on the other kinds of hairs. We observed dramatically enhanced proliferation within the matrix, DP and hair shaft of the enlarged AdWnt10b‐treated hair follicles compared with those of normal hair follicles at P98. Furthermore, expression of CD34, a specific hair stem cell marker, was increased in its number to the bulge region after AdWnt10b treatment. Ectopic expression of CD34 throughout the ORS region was also observed. Many CD34‐positive hair stem cells were actively proliferating in AdWnt10b‐induced hair follicles. Importantly, subsequent co‐treatment with the Wnt inhibitor, DKK1, reduced hair follicle enlargement and decreased proliferation and ectopic localization of hair stem cells. Moreover, injection of DKK1 during early anagen significantly reduced the width of prospective hairs. Together, these findings strongly suggest that Wnt10b/DKK1 can modulate hair follicle size during hair regeneration.     

The role of BMP signalling in the control of ID3 expression in the hair follicle

Both the production of the hair shaft in anagen and the initiation of a new hair cycle at telogen are the result of reciprocal interactions between the dermal papilla and the overlying epithelial cells. Secreted factors, such as those of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) family, play a crucial role in moderating these interactions. Analysis of hair follicles in different stages of the hair cycle showed that BMP signalling was only active during anagen and again during telogen. During catagen, no BMP signalling occurred in the dermal papilla. ID3, a gene expressed in the dermal papilla of both vibrissa and pelage follicles, is a BMP target, and as such, we found that ID3 was expressed from the earliest stages of morphogenesis. During the hair cycle, ID3 was only expressed in the dermal papilla at middle anagen and telogen. To test the significance of ID3 expression in the dermal papilla, we cultured dermal papilla cells and found that ID3 expression fell significantly after a single passage. ID3 expression was returned to in vivo levels in low- and high-passage cells by culturing to high confluence or by the addition of BMP4. These studies reinforce the requirement for active BMP signalling and cell-cell contacts in the dermal papilla during specific stages in the hair cycle.     

Syndecan-1 is strongly expressed in the anagen hair follicle outer root sheath and in the dermal papilla but expression diminishes with involution of the hair follicle

Syndecan-1 is the prototypic member of a family of heparan sulfate-bearing cell surface proteoglycans that function in adhesion, cell-extracellular matrix interactions, migration, and proliferation. During embryogenesis, syndecan-1 expression in the epithelium is downregulated when the epithelium gives rise to motile mesenchymal cells, whereas mesenchymal syndecan-1 expression is upregulated during organ formation. In aggressive basal cell carcinomas, syndecan-1 expression is evident in the stroma. Some neoplastic cells induce stroma to meet needs for growth, and it may be the mesenchymal cells that produce and shed syndecan-1 into the stroma. The physiologic mechanism by which the hair follicle undergoes its cyclic process of involution and formation of a new active hair follicle is not well understood. Sixty scalp biopsies and a large scalp resection were evaluated for syndecan-1 expression within hair follicles in the growing (anagen), involuting (catagen), and resting (telogen) phases. Strong syndecan-1 immunoreactivity was evident in the outer root sheath (ORS) of the anagen hair follicle, but this expression diminished in intensity with the involution and resting stages in the hair follicle cycle. The diminution of syndecan-1 immunoreactivity in the ORS of involuting and resting hair follicles may be a result of terminal keratinocyte differentiation. Syndecan-1 was also present in the dermal papilla of the anagen hair follicle, where it may promote growth factor-mediated cell signaling that induces and maintains growth of the hair shaft and the inner root sheath.     

Hair follicle stem cell marker nestin expression in regenerating hair follicles of patients with alopecia areata

Cells that are nestin positive and keratin 15 (K15) negative are located in the hair follicle pluripotent stem cell (hfPS) area (hfPSA). The hfPSA is located within the root of the sebaceous glands, in a region just above the hair follicle bulge area. In the current study, we investigated the expression pattern of the stem cell marker nestin in the hair follicle cycling of patients with alopecia areata. In the normal human scalp, the majority of hair follicles are in the anagen phase of development. While it is often difficult to identify nestin expression in late anagen phases, nestin-expressing cells are easily identified in proliferating cells located in the hfPSA of the growing early and middle anagen phase hair follicles. In patients exhibiting alopecia areata, the middle anagen hair follicles with growing cells were found to be nestin positive and K15 negative. In contrast, the hair follicles undergoing degradation in alopecia areata patients demonstrated lymphocytic infiltration within the nestin- and K15-negative dermal papilla cells. Both the nestin-positive hfPSA and K15-positive hair follicle bulge areas were not damaged in all phases. In addition, the regenerating early anagen hair follicles demonstrated nestin-positive and K15-negative cells within the dermal papilla and in the area surrounding the hair bulb. These results suggest that the nestin-positive cells play an important role not only in the hfPSA, but also in the dermal papilla in the regenerating hair follicle.     

Hair cycle-specific immunolocalization of retinoic acid synthesizing enzymes Aldh1a2 and Aldh1a3 indicate complex regulation

Retinoic acid has long been known to alter skin and hair growth but an exact mechanism is unclear. This study was performed to examine the sites of endogenous retinoic acid synthesis in the cycling hair follicle to better understand the role retinoic acid plays in this process. Retinal dehydrogenases (Aldh1a1, 2, and 3, formerly Raldh 1, 2, and 3) are the enzymes responsible for the last step in retinoic acid synthesis. Immunohistochemistry was performed on adult C57BL/6J mouse skin sections with antibodies against Aldh1a2 and Aldh1a3. Aldh1a2 expression was seen primarily in the outer root sheath and basal/spinous layer during all stages of the hair cycle, and in the bulge during anagen and early catagen, whereas Aldh1a3 expression was primarily in the dermal papilla, pre-cortex, and hair shaft during mid-late anagen. The expression patterns of these two similar retinoic acid synthesizing enzymes at specific follicular sites suggest that they mediate and are regulated by different epithelial proliferation and differentiation signaling pathways.     

Peribulbar innervation and substance P expression following nonpermanent injury to the human scalp hair follicle

The hair pluck procedure alters the anatomy of the anagen hair bulb. Hemorrhage can occur in the mesenchymal sheath and breaks at the proximal epithelium, above or around the upper third of the dermal papilla, have been reported. We hypothesized that innervation, as identified with protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5), and expression of the neuropeptide Substance P (SP) within the dermal papilla would also be altered following plucking. We focused on studying SP as this neuropeptide has been associated with several cellular responses, including anagen hair growth in the C57BL/6 mouse model. Four millimeter punch biopsies were obtained from the occipital scalp of two healthy adults. Hair was then plucked and additional biopsies were obtained immediately, and at 1 d, 1 wk, and 1 mo after plucking. Each set was processed for immunohistochemical analyses and in-focus optical sections of the dermal papilla were captured by laser scanning confocal microscopy and later reconstructed into single images. Following injury, SP was expressed in a disorganized pattern below the dermal papilla. There was also a significant reduction in labeled neuronal cells, and SP expression was enhanced within peribulbar blood vessels at 1 d and 1 wk. By 1 mo, peribulbar nerves, vessels, and SP expression were similar to baseline observations. It remains to be ascertained whether PGP 9.5, also known as unbiquitin hydrolase, and SP are involved in the proliferation of new matrix cells in the human scalp hair follicle following injury.     

In vivo cytokine and receptor gene expression during the rat hair growth cycle

Abstract A number of cytokines have previously been localised within the developing and adult hair follicle, however, the role they play in producing a mature hair follicle remains unknown. In an attempt to identify dermal papilla specific cytokines and thus those that may have an important controlling role, cytokine gene expression profiles, obtained by reverse transcriplase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), were compared between whole anagen rat hair follicles, passage 2 dermal papillae (a cell type with hair inductive capacity), and footpad fibroblasts (a non-hair inducing cell type). Based on this qualitative data, we were unable to identify a dermal papilla specific gene. The analysis of the pattern and timing of cytokine gene expression during the hair cycle is likely to be more informative. A semi-quantitative RT-PCR technique was therefore developed for studying trends in the level of in vivo expression of the following cytokines and their receptors from early anagen to early catagen in the rat hair growth cycle: insulin-like growth factor I, transforming growth factor β1, tumour necrosis factor, and basic fibroblast growth factor. These genes were found to be differentially expressed and this was correlated with their possible functions in controlling the hair growth cycle, providing valuable insights into the role of cytokines in regulating the hair growth process.     

抑制性消减杂交筛选生长期毛乳头细胞差异表达基因

目的 应用抑制性消减杂交构建生长期毛囊毛乳头细胞(DPC)差异表达cDNA消减杂交文库,从中克隆鉴定出差异表达基因。方法 分别从生长期DPC及休止期DPC提取总RNA;采用SMARTcDNA合成技术合成cDNA,进行2次消减杂交及2次抑制性PCR;将产物与T/A载体连接构建生长期毛囊DPC的cDNA消减文库,通过反向RNA印迹杂交验证阳性克隆,测序并登录基因库寻找同源性基因。结果 成功构建了毛囊生长期DPC消减文库,并获得35个阳性克隆,其中功能已知基因22个,功能未知基因13个。结论 抑制性消减杂交技术是一种高效的筛选差异基因的方法,并可用于小量临床标本研究,本实验所发现的生长期DPC差异表达基因对今后研究毛囊生长调控可能具有重要意义。     

Effects of interleukins, colony-stimulating factor and tumour necrosis factor on human hair follicle growth in vitro: a possible role for interleukin-1 and tumour necrosis factor-α in alopecia areata

The immune system may be involved in the regulation of normal hair follicle growth as well as in the pathogenesis of some hair diseases. Immunomodulatory cytokines not only act as mediators of immunity and inflammation but also regulate cell proliferation and differentiation and. as such, may play an important part in regulating hair growth. We have investigated the effects of a number of interleukins (IL). colony stimulating factors and tumour necrosis factors (TNF) on hair follicle growth in vitro. Dose-response studies showed that IL-1α. IL-1ß and TNF-o were potent inhibitors of hair follicle growth. The histology of hair follicles maintained with inhibitory doses of IL-1α. IL-1ß and TNF-α showed similar changes in hair follicle morphology, resulting in the formation of dystrophic anagen hair follicles. These changes in histology were characterized by the condensation and distortion of the dermal papilla, marked vacuolation of the hair follicle matrix, abnormal keratinization of the follicle bulb and inner root sheath, disruption of follicular melanocytes and the presence of melanin granules witbin the dermal papilla. Moreover, these changes in hair follicle morphology are similar to those reported in alopecia areata and suggest that IL-1α, IL-1ß and TNF-α may play an important part in the pathophysiology of inflammatory hair disease.