The Role of Apoptotic Cells in Hair Follicle Regression
Researchers wanted to understand what causes hair follicles to grow and shrink over time. Hair follicles go through cycles of growth (anagen), transition (catagen), and rest (telogen). During the rest phase, the hair follicle shrinks through a process called apoptosis, where cells die.
The researchers developed a mathematical model to study the hair follicle cycle. Their model suggests that apoptosis spreads in a wave from the base of the follicle towards the stem cells at the bottom.
The dermal papilla cells at the base of the follicle initiate apoptosis in the cells next to them. Then those dying cells trigger apoptosis in their neighbors, and so on until most of the follicle cells have died.
As the wave of cell death approaches the follicle stem cells, it slows down. The researchers think this is because the stem cells release survival signals to protect themselves. Their model matches measurements of follicle length over time.
This research helps explain how hair follicles grow and shrink. The dermal papilla kickstarts apoptosis at the start of the rest phase.
Then apoptotic cells spread the signal by inducing death in neighboring cells. The stem cells resist apoptosis to regenerate the follicle later.
Understanding this process could lead to treatments for hair loss diseases.
Can Exosomes and acellular stem cells Halt Hair Loss?
Hair follicle cyclic regression is driven by apoptosis spreading from the dermal papilla to the follicle stem cells, new research reveals. This wave of programmed cell death causes the follicle to shrink during the rest phase of the cycle.
But what if we could stop this apoptotic cascade before it reaches the critical stem cells? Emerging regenerative therapies may offer a solution.
Exosomes derived from stem cells could deliver pro-survival signals to counter the apoptosis trigger from the dermal papilla. Exosome payloads of miRNAs and proteins can inhibit cell death pathways and support follicle cell viability.
Mesenchymal or hair follicle stem cell-derived exosomes applied topically or injected around the follicles may protect cells from apoptotic signaling.
Stem cell therapies could also provide a regenerative boost by fortifying the follicle stem cell niche. Transplanting adult stem cells or iPSC-derived follicle cells could strengthen the niche to resist apoptosis.
Pre-treating these cells with exosomes could further enhance their survival, proliferation, and differentiation abilities. While more research is needed, exosome and stem cell therapies show promise for promoting hair growth and averting hair loss.
By blocking apoptosis signaling and reinforcing the follicle stem cells, these cutting-edge approaches may help patients with alopecia, pattern baldness, and other hair thinning disorders.
As we advance our understanding of the hair cycle, new strategies to modulate apoptosis and follicle regeneration are on the horizon.
