Project description:Previous studies have shown how adipocytes can modulate the activity of hair follicle stem cells. However, the role of adipocytes in the pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) remains unknown. We aimed to determine signaling pathways related to the adipose tissue changes in the human scalp with AGA through RNA-seq analysis. RNA was isolated from the adipose tissues derived from the bald (frontal) and normal (occipital) scalps of male patients with AGA (n = 4). The pooled RNA extracts from these samples were subjected to RNA sequencing, followed by differential gene expression and pathway analysis. Our gene expression analysis identified 1,060 differentially expressed genes, including 522 upregulated and 538 downregulated genes in the bald AGA scalp. Biological pathways pertaining to either adipose tissue metabolism or the hair cycle were generated in our pathway analysis. Downregulation of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) signaling pathway was noted to be significant in the bald scalp. Expression of adipogenic markers (e.g., PPARG, FABP4, PLN1, and ADIPOQ) was also decreased in the bald site. These findings imply that adipogenesis becomes downregulated in AGA, specifically within the bald scalp adipose. Our results lead to the hypothesis that PPARγ-mediated adipogenesis in the scalp adipose, via crosstalk with signaling pathways involved in hair cycling, might play a role in AGA.
Project description:BackgroundAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss. Studies have suggested a potential link to metabolic disorders, but with conflicting results. To elucidate the lipidomics profile and sex-specific variations in AGA, while exploring correlation between AGA and metabolic syndrome (MetS).MethodsThe AGA patients (n = 83) and healthy controls (n = 84) were collected in the study. The lipid profiles were analyzed using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). Serum levels of important factors associated with AGA, namely dihydrotestosterone (DHT), prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) were quantified using ELISA.ResultsCompared with controls, AGA patients had a higher probability of MetS (26.51% vs 11.9%, P < 0.05). Fifty-one differentially expressed lipids were identified in AGA. The kind of triglyceride (TG) were significantly increased, while phosphatidylcholine (PC), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidylserine (PS) exhibited remarkable decrease. PC (16:2/21:6), PC (34:4p), PE (41:7), PE (44:12), PG (40:9), PI (32:2) and TG (15:0/18:1/18:1) were identified as potential biomarkers of AGA with the highest specificity. The levels of DHT, PGD2 and TGF-β1 were significantly elevated in AGA. All seven lipids showed significant correlations with DHT, PC (34:4p) and TG (15:0/18:1/18:1) were significantly associated with PGD2, TGF-β1 displayed exclusively correlation with TG (15:0/18:1/18:1) (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, these lipids were also significantly linked to systolic blood pressure and BMI, while some of them also showed significant associations with total cholesterol and HDL-C. In subgroups, forty-two differentially expressed lipids were identified in male AGA vs male control and eighty-one in female AGA vs female control. PC (16:2/21:6) was the only specific lipids common to both sexes.ConclusionsAberrant lipid metabolism was observed in AGA, with distinct lipidomic profiles between male and female AGA. The potential biomarkers were closely related to DHT, PGD2, TGF-β1 and MetS-related indicators. It provides the foundation for revealing the mechanisms of AGA.
Project description:Androgenetic alopecia is the most common form of hair loss in males. It is a multifactorial condition involving genetic predisposition and hormonal changes. The role of microflora during hair loss remains to be understood. We therefore analyzed the microbiome of hair follicles from hair loss patients and the healthy. Hair follicles were extracted from occipital and vertex region of hair loss patients and healthy volunteers and further dissected into middle and lower compartments. The microbiome was then characterized by 16S rRNA sequencing. Distinct microbial population were found in the middle and lower compartment of hair follicles. Middle hair compartment was predominated by Burkholderia spp. and less diverse; while higher bacterial diversity was observed in the lower hair portion. Occipital and vertex hair follicles did not show significant differences. In hair loss patients, miniaturized vertex hair houses elevated Propionibacterium acnes in the middle and lower compartments while non-miniaturized hair of other regions were comparable to the healthy. Increased abundance of P. acnes in miniaturized hair follicles could be associated to elevated immune response gene expression in the hair follicle.
Project description:Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is characterized by microinflammation and abnormal immune responses, particularly in the upper segment of hair follicles (HFs). However, the precise patterns of immune dysregulation remain unclear, partly due to limitations in current analysis techniques to preserve tissue architecture. The infundibulum, a major part of the upper segment of HFs, is associated with significant clusters of immune cells. In this study, we investigated immune cells around the infundibulum, referred to as peri-infundibular immune infiltration (PII). We employed spatial transcriptome profiling, a high-throughput analysis technology, to investigate the immunological disruptions within the PII region. Our comprehensive analysis included an evaluation of overall immune infiltrates, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), cellular deconvolution, differential expression analysis, over-representation analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and upstream regulator analysis to identify cell types and molecular dysregulation in immune cells. Our results demonstrated significant differences in immune signatures between the PII of AGA patients (PII-A) and the PII of control donors (PII-C). Specifically, PII-A exhibited an enrichment of CD4+ helper T cells, distinct immune response patterns, and a bias toward a T helper (Th) 2 response. Immunohistochemistry revealed disruptions in T cell subpopulations, with more CD4+ T cells displaying an elevated Th2 response and a reduced Th1-cytotoxic response compared to PII-C. These findings reveal the unique immune landscapes of PII-A and PII-C, suggesting potential for the development of innovative treatment approaches.
Project description:BackgroundEarly-onset androgenetic alopecia (AGA) has been associated with various chronic conditions, including metabolic syndrome (MetS). Gaining a deep understanding of early-onset AGA may enable earlier intervention in individuals at high risks. This scoping review aims to explore the risk factors and etiology, associated conditions, and adverse effects on wellbeing in early-onset AGA.MethodsElectronic literature searches were conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE and CENTRIAL. Eligible studies included case-control, cohort, cross-sectional, and meta-analysis studies. Selected studies needed to clearly define early-onset AGA cases or include only cases starting before the age of 40 and compare them with appropriate controls. The exclusion criteria comprised editorials, commentaries, case series, and non-systematic reviews, among others. Data extraction involved collecting study characteristics, methodologies, main outcomes, and findings. Descriptive tables were used to summarize key information and relevant variables when necessary.ResultsAmong the 65 eligible articles, 67.69% were case-control studies and 78.46% evaluated only male patients. "Early-onset" was defined as cases developing before the age of 30 years in 43.08% of the studies. The Hamilton-Norwood scale was the most frequently used method for evaluating the severity of alopecia in men (69.23%). Reported risk factors for early-onset AGA included a family history of AGA, cigarette smoking, unhealthy dietary habits, and a high body mass index. Early-onset AGA may also be associated with hormonal profiles, 5α-reductase enzyme activity, androgen receptor genes, and some susceptibility loci. Comorbidities investigated included MetS, cardiovascular disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, and Parkinson's disease. Men with early-onset AGA may have reduced treatment efficacy with drug like rosuvastatin, metformin or lisinopril for dyslipidemia, prediabetes, or hypertension. Additionally, young men with AGA tended to suffer from psychological issues such as anxiety and low self-esteem compared to those without hair loss.ConclusionEarly-onset AGA is a complex condition with various risk factors and etiology, associated comorbidities, and potential implications for treatment response and psychological health.
Project description:Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss in men and women. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and androgen receptor (AR) levels are increased in patients with AGA, and DHT-AR signaling correlates strongly with AGA pathogenesis. In this study, treatment with self-assembled micelle inhibitory RNA (SAMiRNA) nanoparticle-type siRNA selectively suppressed AR expression in vitro. Clinical studies with application of SAMiRNA to the scalp and massaging to deliver it to the hair follicle confirmed its efficacy in AGA. For identification of a potent SAMiRNA for AR silencing, 547 SAMiRNA candidates were synthesized and screened. SAMiRNA-AR68 (AR68) was the most potent and could be efficiently delivered to human follicle dermal papilla cells (HFDPCs) and hair follicles, and this treatment decreased the AR mRNA and protein levels. We confirmed that 10 µM AR68 elicits no innate immune response in human PBMCs and no cytotoxicity up to 20 µM with HFDP and HaCaT cells. Clinical studies were performed in a randomized and double-blind manner with two different doses and frequencies. In the low-dose (0.5 mg/ml) clinical study, AR68 was applied three times per week for 24 weeks, and through quantitative analysis using a phototrichogram, we confirmed increases in total hair counts. In the high-dose (5 mg/ml) clinical study, AR68 was given once per week for 24 weeks and showed 83% efficacy in increasing hair counts compared with finasteride. No side effects were observed. Therefore, SAMiRNA targeting AR mRNA is a potential novel topical treatment for AGA.
Project description:BackgroundAndrogenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of non-scarring alopecia in humans. Several studies have used different laboratory models to study the pathogenesis and interventions for AGA. These study models have proved beneficial and have led to the approval of two drugs. However, the need to build on existing knowledge remains by examining the relevance of study models to the disease.ObjectiveWe sought to appraise laboratory or pre-clinical models of AGA.MethodWe searched through databases (PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, World CAT, Scopus and Google Scholar) for articles on AGA-related studies from 1942 to March 2019 with a focus on study models.ResultsThe search rendered 101 studies after screening and deduplication. Several studies (70) used in vitro models, mostly consisting of two-dimensional monolayer cells for experiments involving the characterization of androgen and 5-alpha reductase (5AR) and inhibition thereof, the effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and biomarker(s) of AGA. Twenty-seven studies used in vivo models of mice and monkeys to investigate DHT synthesis, the expression and inhibition of 5AR and hair growth. Only four studies used AGA-related or healthy excisional/punch biopsy explants as ex vivo models to study the action of 5AR inhibitors and AGA-associated genes. No study used three-dimensional [3-D] organoids or organotypic human skin culture models.ConclusionWe recommend clinically relevant laboratory models like human or patient-derived 3-D organoids or organotypic skin in AGA-related studies. These models are closer to human scalp tissue and minimize the use of laboratory animals and could ultimately facilitate novel therapeutics.
Project description:The number of people suffering from hair loss is increasing, and hair loss occurs not only in older men but also in women and young people. Prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) is a well-known alopecia inducer. However, the mechanism by which PGD2 induces alopecia is poorly understood. In this study, we characterized CXXC5, a negative regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, as a mediator for hair loss by PGD2. The hair loss by PGD2 was restored by Cxxc5 knock-out or treatment of protein transduction domain-Dishevelled binding motif (PTD-DBM), a peptide activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway via interference with the Dishevelled (Dvl) binding function of CXXC5. In addition, suppression of neogenic hair growth by PGD2 was also overcome by PTD-DBM treatment or Cxxc5 knock-out as shown by the wound-induced hair neogenesis (WIHN) model. Moreover, we found that CXXC5 also mediates DHT-induced hair loss via PGD2. DHT-induced hair loss was alleviated by inhibition of both GSK-3β and CXXC5 functions. Overall, CXXC5 mediates the hair loss by the DHT-PGD2 axis through suppression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling.