Prostaglandin D2 Inhibits Hair Growth and Is Elevated in Bald Scalp of Men with Androgenetic Alopecia

ABSTRACT: Testosterone is necessary for the development of male pattern baldness, known as androgenetic alopecia (AGA); yet the mechanisms for decreased hair growth in this disorder are unclear. Here, we show that prostaglandin D2 synthase (PTGDS) is elevated at the mRNA and protein levels in bald scalp compared to haired scalp of men with AGA. The product of PTGDS enzyme activity, prostaglandin D2 (PGD2), is similarly elevated in bald scalp. During normal follicle cycling in mice Ptgds and PGD2 levels increase immediately preceding the regression phase, suggesting an inhibitory effect on hair growth. We show that PGD2 inhibits hair growth in explanted human hair follicles and when applied topically to mice. Hair growth inhibition requires the PGD2 receptor G protein-coupled receptor 44 (GPR44), but

ORGANISM(S): Homo sapiens

SUBMITTER: Luis Garza 

PROVIDER: E-GEOD-36169 | biostudies-arrayexpress |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-arrayexpress