Team discovers signaling molecule that potently stimulates hair growth

University of California, Irvine-led researchers have discovered that a signaling molecule called SCUBE3 potently stimulates hair growth and may offer a therapeutic treatment for hair loss in both women and men.

The study, published online today in Developmental Cell, determined the precise mechanism by which the dermal papilla cells promote new growth. The genetics of the molecule involved in controlling hair growth has been poorly understood.

Maksim Plikus, a professor of developmental and cell biology at the University of California, Irvine, is the study'sCorresponding Author. The signaling molecule used to "tell" the neighboring hair stem cells to start dividing is called the SCUBE3 signalling molecule.

Hair growth in mice and humans is dependent on the production of activated molecule by the cells. In people with androgenetic Alopecia, the cells of the dermal Papilla fail. The mouse model with excessive hair was developed for the purpose of discovering hair growth regulation.

The mouse model we studied allowed us to identify the previously unknown signaling molecule that can drive excessive hair growth.

There are tests that show that hair growth is stimulated in humans. In order to induce new growth in the mouse skin, researchers injected scUBE3 into it.

The proof-of-principle data provided by these experiments show that derived compounds can be a promising therapy for hair loss.

finasteride and minoxidil are approved by the FDA for androgenetic alopecia. The drug is only used in men. The drugs need to be taken daily to maintain their effectiveness.

There is a need for new, effective hair loss medicines, and naturally occurring compounds that are normally used by the dermal Papilla cells present ideal next- generation candidates for treatment. The human hair transplant model was tested.

More information: Yingzi Liu et al, Hedgehog signaling reprograms hair follicle niche fibroblasts to a hyper-activated state, Developmental Cell (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2022.06.005 Journal information: Developmental Cell