Effects of Substance P on the Expression of Various Factors to control Hair Growth in Human Hair Follicle Culture / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Among constituents of the skin, hair follicle is an organ where nerve fibers with the most highest density are distributed. Recently, it has been reported that neuropeptides, which are secreted by nerve fibers, have important roles in the hair growth and hair cycle change, and that, the expression of various growth factors and apoptosis-related molecules are important in the hair growth and hair cycle change. Therefore, it was thought of import to analyse the relationship between the effect of neuropeptides and the expression of various factors to control hair growth in the hair follicle and hair follicle cells. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between the effect of neuropeptides and the expression of various hair growth-related factors at the level of hair follicle after pretreatment of cultured hair follicles and dermal papilla cells with SP. METHODS: Normal human scalp samples were obtained, and anagen hair follicles and dermal papilla cells were isolated and were cultured in Dulbeco's Modified Eagle's Medium (DMEM) with several combination of supplements in an atmosphere of 5% CO2/95% air incubator. We divided the culture plates into two groups; i.e. control group (DMEM only) and SP group (10-6M SP dissolved in DMEM). The results were evaluated by measuring linear hair growth and hair follicle morphology under a light microscope. Also, after pretreatment of cultured hair follicle and dermal papilla cells with SP, we examined changes of expression of hair growth factors (FGF-7, IGF-1, VEGF), hair growth-inhibitory factors (IL-1alpha, IL-1beta), and apoptosis-related molecules (p53, caspase-3). RESULTS: The following results were obtained. 1. SP did not have any statistically significant effect on the rate of linear hair growth in cultured hair follicles. However, it prolonged the anagen stage of hair cycle. 2. In hair follicles, the expression of FGF-7, a hair growth factor, was increased more than control, while the expression of caspase-3, an apoptosis-related molecule, was decreased more than control. Also, morphological changes as well as the changes of expression of hair growth factors and apoptosis-related molecules were not found in dermal papilla cells. However, the expression of IL-1beta, a hair growth-inhibitory factor, was decreased more than control. CONCLUSION: We can conclude from the results that SP has growth-stimulatory effect and especially prolongs the duration of anagen phase without affecting the rate of linear hair growth. Also, in hair follicles and dermal papilla cells, SP shows hair growth-stimulatory effect at the molecular levels.

Effects of TNF-alpha and Minoxidil on Human Hair Growth in Vitro / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: The factors that regulate hair follicle growth are still poorly understood. In vitro models may be useful in elucidating some aspects of hair follicle biology. TNF-alpha is potent inhibitor of hair follicle growth. TNF-alpha induces the formation of a club-like hair follicle, similar to catagen morphology of the hair bulb. Minoxidil induces generalized hypertrichosis when administered systemically, or localized hair regrowth when applied topically to sites of alopecia. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of TNF-alpha and minoxidil on human hair growth using in vitro model. METHODS: Healthy human hair follicles without any visible damage were collected, they were cultured in Williams E medium with several combinations of supplements and TNF-alpha and/or minoxidil were added to the media. The results were evaluated by measuring linear hair fiber growth and hair follicle morphology on light microsocopy and by measuring radioisotope uptake of (methyl-3H)thymidine of hair follicle. RESULTS: The following results were obtained from this study. TNF-alpha have inhibitory effect on the rate of linear hair growth in cultured hair follicles. Minoxidil has no stimulatory effect on the rate of linear hair growth and no protective effect on the TNF-alpha induced growth inhibition in cultured hair follicles. CONCLUSION: TNF-alpha has growth-inhibitory effect and minoxidil has no protective effect on the TNF-alpha induced hair change.