An international group of researchers have discovered a signaling molecule called SCUBE 3 that can effectively stimulate hair growth and offer a treatment for androgenetic alopecia, a common hair loss in both men and women.
The study, published in the journal Developmental Cell, outlined the precise mechanism by which dermal papillary cells, fibroblasts (adult fibroblasts)-which specialize in signaling at the base of each hair follicle-stimulate of new growth.
Although it is well known that dermal papilla cells play an important role in controlling hair growth, the genetic basis of the activating molecules involved is not fully understood.
Professor of cell biology and evolution at UCLA, Dr. “At different times during the life cycle of a hair follicle, both dermal papilla cells can send signals that keep the follicles from sleeping or lead to new hair growth,” he says. Maxim Plikus. “We discovered that the signal molecule SCUBE3, which is naturally produced by dermal papillary cells, is the transmitter used to signal to nearby hair stem cells that they have begun to divide and the beginning of new hair growth.”
The production of active molecules of dermal papilla cells is critical for effective hair growth in rats and humans.
In people with androgenetic alopecia (androgenetic alopecia), the dermal papilla cells are disrupted and the anabolic molecules that are naturally abundant are greatly reduced.
The researchers designed a rodent model that contained hyperactive dermal papilla cells and, as a result, developed additional hairs that would facilitate further exploration of hair growth regulation.
“Studying this mouse model allows us to identify SCUBE3 as a previously unknown signal molecule that can lead to excessive hair growth,” said first author Yenzi Lu, a postdoctoral researcher in Developmental and Cellular at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). Biology. ”
Further analysis confirms that SCUBE3 enables hair growth in human follicles. The researchers injected SCUBE 3 into the skin of a mouse with follicles transferred from the human scalp. This resulted in strong stimulation of hair growth in both inactive human follicles and mouse follicles surrounding them.
“These tests provide proof of principle that SCUBE3 or its derivative molecules can be a good treatment for hair loss,” said first author Christian Guerrero-Juarez, a postdoctoral researcher. in mathematics at UC Irvine.
There are currently two drugs on the market, finasteride and minoxidil, which are approved by the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. It is noteworthy that Finasteride is only approved for use in men.
“New and effective hair loss drugs are urgently needed, and the naturally occurring compounds commonly used by dermal papilla cells offer the perfect next-generation treatment. Our human hair transplant model tests confirm the preclinical potential of SCUBE3. ” said Dr. blikos.
Source: Science Daily
Source: Arabic RT
