Unlocking the Potential of Hair Follicle Stem Cells to Promote Hair Growth
Hair loss and receding hairlines can have a significant impact on one’s self-esteem and confidence. According to the American Hair Loss Association, by the age of 35, over two-thirds of men will experience some degree of hair loss, while more than 40% of women over the age of 40 will be affected by hair loss. While various treatments, such as topical solutions, hair transplants, and medications, have been developed to address hair loss, they are often not effective for everyone and may have side effects.
However, a recent study by researchers at Northwestern Medicine offers new hope for promoting hair growth by unlocking the potential of hair follicle stem cells. The study, published in PNAS, found that by softening hair follicle stem cells, they are more likely to produce hair. The researchers discovered a way to take advantage of this by promoting the production of a tiny RNA, miR-205, which relaxes these cells’ toughness. When the stem cells were genetically engineered to produce more miR-205, they promoted hair growth in both young and old mice effectively.
Stimulating Existing Stem Cells to Grow Hair
The primary benefit of this innovative method is that the researchers aren’t generating new stem cells. Instead, they are stimulating the existing stem cells’ growth, which is an essential discovery and opens a new horizon for the hair regrowth industry. Hair follicle stem cells are responsible for hair growth and regenerate new hair follicles after each hair’s shedding. Still, as people age, these cells’ stiffness may increase, making it harder for them to regrow hair.
The research team led by Paul E. Steiner Research Professor of Pathology and professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Rui Yi, discovered that modulating the mechanical properties of hair follicle stem cells could potentially promote hair regrowth. He said in a statement that the study demonstrates the possibility of stimulating hair growth by regulating cellular mechanics.
The researchers used advanced microscopy tools, including atomic force microscopy, to measure stiffness, and two-photon microscopy to monitor cell behaviors in living animals. They conducted this study in genetically modified mouse models. The teams’ next step is to investigate whether topically administered miR-205 can stimulate hair growth in mice. If successful, they plan to design experiments to test whether this microRNA can potentially promote hair growth in humans.
More Research is Needed
Although the study results demonstrate the potential of this research, more research must be conducted to test the long-term effectiveness and safety of the technique on humans. The present research was conducted in genetically modified mouse models, and the technique has yet to be tested on humans. The method’s safety and effectiveness also need to be validated, and late-onset side effects must be identified and studied after long-term treatment, but the findings offer hope for new treatments for hair loss.
Conclusion
Hair loss affects millions of people worldwide and is driven primarily by genetics, hormones, and aging. Various treatments, including medications, surgeries, and topical solutions, have been designed to promote hair growth, but they have not been effective for everyone, highlighting the need to find more innovative and effective treatments. This study conducted by Northwestern Medicine offers new hope for promoting hair regrowth by unlocking the potential of hair follicle stem cells to regenerate hair. While more research is needed to test the method’s safety and effectiveness on humans, the findings demonstrate the potential of this research to revolutionize the hair regrowth industry and offer new hope for those struggling with hair loss.
Summary
Northwestern Medicine researchers discovered a way to promote hair growth by softening hair follicle stem cells to produce a tiny RNA, miR-205, which relaxes the cells’ toughness. When increasing the miR-205 production, they promoted hair growth in mice effectively, stimulating existing stem cells to grow hair, not generating new ones. The research team used advanced microscopy tools to monitor cell behavior in genetically modified mouse models. Although the technique has yet to be tested on humans, this research offers new hope for effective hair regrowth treatments.
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Just as people’s joints can become stiff as they age and make it difficult for them to move, hair follicle stem cells also stiffen, making it harder for them to grow hair, reports a new study from Northwestern Medicine.
But if the hair follicle stem cells are softened, they are more likely to produce hair, the scientists found.
Northwestern scientists figured out how to soften those stem cells to allow them to grow hair again. In a mouse study published this week in PNAS, the researchers report that they can soften stem cells by boosting the production of a tiny RNA, miR-205, which relaxes the cells’ toughness. When the scientists genetically engineered the stem cells to produce more miR-205, they promoted hair growth in both young and old mice.
“They started growing hair within 10 days,” said corresponding author Rui Yi, Paul E. Steiner Research Professor of Pathology and professor of dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine. “These are not new stem cells being generated. We are stimulating existing stem cells to grow hair. Many times we still have stem cells, but they may not be able to grow hair.”
“Our study demonstrates the possibility of stimulating hair growth by regulating cellular mechanics. Due to the potential to deliver microRNA via nanoparticles directly into the skin, we will next test whether topically administered miR-205 can stimulate hair growth first.” in mice. If successful, we will design experiments to test whether this microRNA can potentially promote hair growth in humans.”
This study was conducted in genetically modified mouse models. The scientists used advanced microscopy tools, including atomic force microscopy, to measure stiffness, and two-photon microscopy to monitor cell behaviors in living animals.
Other northwestern authors include Jingjing Wang, Yuheng Fu, and Kathleen Green.
The article is titled “MicroRNA-205 promotes hair regrowth by modulating the mechanical properties of hair follicle stem cells.”
This study was supported by grants AR066703, AR071435, AR043380, AR041836, and P30AR075049 from the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases of the National Institutes of Health.
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/06/230605181227.htm
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