J Biomol Screen. 2013 Apr;18(4):462-73. doi: 10.1177/1087057112464574. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

Visible-to-near IR quantum dot-based hypermulticolor high-content screening of herbal medicines for the efficacy monitoring of hair growth promotion and hair loss inhibition.

Kim MJ1, Lim C, Lee JY, Im KR, Yoon KS, Song JM.

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Abstract

There is a growing interest in alopecia prevention strategies, as the number of alopecia patients is increasing. We examine the efficacy of herbal medicine for hair growth promotion/hair loss inhibition in two cell lines via Western blot and high-content screening (HCS). Nine herbal extracts were obtained from three different herbal medicine mixtures using 3 different extraction methods. Five target proteins-IGF-1 (insulin-like growth factor-1), TGF-β2 (transforming growth factor-β2), VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), DKK-1 (Dickkopf-1), and Wnt5α-were observed for the assessment of hair growth promotion/hair loss inhibition efficacy. The efficacies of nine extracts were compared with minoxidil as control. Efficacy was defined as a rise in the expression levels of IGF-1, VEGF, and Wnt5α but a decrease in DKK-1 and TGF-β2. Intracellular concurrent imaging of these proteins was successfully achieved using HCS, employing visible-to-near infrared probing based on quantum-antibody conjugates and hypermulticolor imaging.

PMID:

 

23190736

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol. 2014 Jan;98(2):695-704. doi: 10.1007/s00253-013-4929-3. Epub 2013 Apr 30.

High-efficiency production of bioactive recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18 in Escherichia coli and its effects on hair follicle growth.

Song L1, Huang Z, Chen Y, Li H, Jiang C, Li X.

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Abstract

Using fusion tags, expression of recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 18 (rhFGF18) in mammalian cells and Escherichia coli has been extensively used for fundamental research and clinical applications, including chondrogenesis and osteogenesis, hair growth, and neuroprotection. However, high-level rhFGF18 expression is difficult and the products are often not homogeneous. Furthermore, fusion-tagged protein has higher immunogenicity and lower bioactivity, and the removal of the fused tag is expensive. To overcome the limitations of fusion-tagged expression of protein and to prepare soluble highly bioactive rhFGF18, we have developed a rapid and efficient expression strategy. Optimized hFGF18 gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and cloned into pET22b and pET3c vectors, then transformed into E. coli strains Origima (DE3) and BL21 (DE3)PlysS. The best combination of plasmid and host strain was selected, and only Origima (DE3)/pET3c-rhFGF18 was screened for high-level expressed rhFGF18. Under optimal conditions in a 30-L fermentor, the average bacterial yield and expression level of rhFGF18 of three batches were more than 652 g and 30 % respectively, after treatment with 1 mM isopropyl-thio-β-galactopyranoside for 10 h at 25 °C. The target protein was purified by CM Sepharose FF and heparin affinity chromatography. The purity of rhFGF18 was shown by HPLC to be higher than 95 %, and the yield was 155 mg/L. In vitro MTT assays demonstrated that the purified rhFGF18 could stimulate significant proliferation of NIH3T3 cells, and animal experiments showed that rhFGF18 could effectively regulate hair growth. In conclusion, this may be a better method of producing rhFGF18 to meet the increasing demand in its pharmacological application.

PMID:

 

23624709

 

[PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

Exp Dermatol. 2014 Dec;23(12):865-7. doi: 10.1111/exd.12504.

Parathyroid hormone-related peptide and the hair cycle - is it the agonists or the antagonists that cause hairgrowth?

Gensure RC1.

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Abstract

While the effects of PTHrP have been studied for almost 20 years, most of these studies have focused on effects on the termination of the anagen phase, giving an incomplete picture of the overall effect of PTHrP on the hair cycle. PTHrP was determined in several experimental models to promote transition of hair follicles from anagen to catagen phase, which by itself would suggest that PTHrP blockade might prolong the anagen phase and promote hair growth. However, clinical trials with topically applied PTHrP antagonists have been disappointing, leading to a reconsideration of this model. Additional studies performed in mouse models where hair follicles are damaged (alopecia areata, chemotherapy-induced alopecia) suggest that PTHrP has effects early in the hair cycle as well, promoting hair follicles' entry into anagen phase and initiates the hair cycle. While the mechanism of this has yet to be elucidated, it may involve activation of the Wnt pathway. Thus, the overall effect of PTHrP is to stimulate and accelerate the hair cycle, and in the more clinically relevant models of hair loss where hair follicles have been damaged or become quiescent, it is the agonists, not the antagonists, which would be expected to promote hair growth.

© 2014 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Eur J Dermatol. 2014 Sep-Oct;24(5):568-76. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2014.2428.

Why care about linear hair growth rates (LHGR)? a study using in vivo imaging and computer assisted image analysis after manual processing (CAIAMP) in unaffected male controls and men with male pattern hair loss (MPHL).

Van Neste D1.

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Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The words "hair growth" frequently encompass many aspects other than just growth.

OBJECTIVES:

Report on a validation method for precise non-invasive measurement of thickness together with linear hair growth rates of individual hairfibres. To verify the possible correlation between thickness and linear growth rate of scalp hair in male pattern hair loss as compared with healthy male controls.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

To document the process of validation of hair growth measurement from in vivo image capturing and manual processing, followed by computer assisted image analysis. We analysed 179 paired images obtained with the contrast-enhanced-phototrichogram method with exogen collection (CE-PTG-EC) in 13 healthy male controls and in 87 men with male pattern hair loss (MPHL).

RESULTS:

There was a global positive correlation between thickness and growth rate (ANOVA; p<0.0001) and a statistically significantly (ANOVA; p<0.0005) slower growth rate in MPHL as compared with equally thick hairs from controls. Finally, the growth rate recorded in the more severe patterns was significantly (ANOVA; P ≤ 0.001) reduced compared with equally thick hair from less severely affected MPHL or controls subjects.

CONCLUSION:

Reduced growth rate, together with thinning and shortening of the anagen phase duration in MPHL might contribute together to the global impression of decreased hair volume on the top of the head. Amongst other structural and functional parameters characterizing hair follicle regression, linear hair growth rate warrants further investigation, as it may be relevant in terms of self-perception of hair coverage, quantitative diagnosis and prognostic factor of the therapeutic response.

KEYWORDS:

androgenetic alopecia; clinical trial; imaging; male pattern hair loss; phototrichogram; scalp hair

Int J Cosmet Sci. 2014 Dec;36(6):531-6. doi: 10.1111/ics.12151. Epub 2014 Sep 3.

Changes in Chinese hair growth along a full year.

Liu C1, Yang J, Qu L, Gu M, Liu Y, Gao J, Collaudin C, Loussouarn G.

Author information

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To confirm the existence of seasonal hair growth cycle among Chinese subjects and objectivize the seasonal effect of hair loss; the hairgrowth parameters of Chinese volunteers were followed monthly for an entire year on the same area of vertex.

METHODS:

The hair growth parameters of 41 Chinese volunteers (women and men), free from alopecia, were recorded monthly along an entire year using the phototrichogram technique.

RESULTS:

Results show an increased rate of telogen hairs (growing arrest) around August-September in the study group, as previously reported in European subjects albeit of a lower extent and remaining within the normal range of healthy head hair parameters. The possible effects of latitude and daylight duration are discussed.

CONCLUSION:

Data confirm that Chinese hairs present characteristics of the most developed and fast growing terminal fibres, as compared to other non-Asian ethnics.

© 2014 Society of Cosmetic Scientists and the Société Française de Cosmétologie.

KEYWORDS:

hair growth; hair treatment; phototrichogramme; skin physiology

J Cosmet Dermatol. 2010 Dec;9(4):267-75. doi: 10.1111/j.1473-2165.2010.00520.x.

Evaluation of apoptosis regulatory markers in androgenetic alopecia.

El-Domyati M1, Attia S, Saleh F, Bassyouni M, Barakat M, Abdel-Wahab H.

Author information

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a common androgen-induced progressive disorder; the pathways of which are regulated by local genetic codes and hormonal control. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether an altered proliferation or increased apoptosis could contribute to its pathogenesis.

AIMS:

To evaluate the role of some apoptosis regulatory markers and follicular proliferation in the pathogenesis of AGA.

PATIENTS/METHODS:

Thirty biopsies were taken from the frontal (bald) area and occipital (hair-bearing) area of 15 male patients with AGA, as well as five specimens from the frontal area of five age-matched controls. The biopsies were stained with apoptosis regulatory markers (Bcl-2, p53, Bax & Fas) and PCNA (proliferating cell nuclear antigen), as well as TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling) staining for the detection of DNA fragmentation in apoptotic cells.

RESULTS:

Bcl-2 expression was localized to epidermal basal layer and follicular dermal papilla with highly significant correlation with PCNA expression (P < 0.001). Perifollicular lymphocytic infiltrate of the bald area showed significant expression of Bcl-2. However, pro-apoptotic Bax and Fas were expressed in the epidermis and not in the hair follicles which does not show any apoptotic keratinocytes by TUNEL staining.

CONCLUSION:

The low proliferation rate in the bald area of patients, together with persistent perifollicular inflammatory infiltrate as evidenced by the anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 expression in dermal lymphocytes, would result in follicular miniaturization and fibrosis.

© 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

An investigation of apoptosis in androgenetic alopecia.

Cowper SE1, Rosenberg AS, Morgan MB.

Author information

Abstract

While the androgens, including dihydrotestosterone (DHT), have been implicated in the development of androgenetic alopecia (AGA), the exact mechanism by which they exert their effects is unknown. As apoptosis is an integral component of the normal cycling of human hair, we investigated individuals clinically affected by AGA to assess whether objective differences in the expression of apoptosis related immunohistochemical markers could be observed in scalp biopsies. Specimens from 13 alopecic male cadavers were stained with bcl-2 and terminal deoxynucleotidetransferase dUTP fluorescein nick end-labeling (TUNEL) methods to assess apoptotic activity in affected and unaffected areas of the scalp. Immunoreactivity was analyzed by quantifying nuclear staining differences within the same individual. Sections from two living human volunteers were obtained to establish the method validity. Significant differences in bcl-2 expression were observed between areas of the scalp clinically affected and unaffected by AGA. The Gaussian distribution of bcl-2 staining suggests that a relatively uniform population of follicles exists at the frontal hairline and/or synchrony of follicular cycling occurs in AGA. The apoptosis "hot spot" described by TUNEL staining in the bulge-isthmus region of the murine follicle is also identifiable in the human follicle.