epidermal-growth-factor and Alopecia

This article discusses the mechanisms via topically applied products containing herbs and their active constituents affect the hair growth process. It was reported that the mechanisms involving (1) insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), (2) vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), (3) epidermal growth factor (EGF), (4) fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF-2), (5) endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), (6) Wnt/β-catenin signalling pathway, (7) prostaglandin E (PGE), (8) prostaglandin F (PGF) stimulate hair growth, whereas the mechanisms engaging (1) 5α-reductase and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), (2) transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), (3) fibroblast growth factor 5 (FGF-5), (4) prostaglandin D

Topics: Administration, Topical; Alopecia; Animals; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Humans; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I; Mice; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III; Plant Preparations; Prostaglandins; Transforming Growth Factor beta; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Wnt Signaling Pathway

The influences exerted by the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) on the skin act at multiple levels, which involve compartments that normally express EGFR. These include the basal and suprabasal layers of the epidermis, sebaceous glands, and the outer root sheath of the hair follicles. The physiological roles of EGFR ensure epidermal renewal and integrity, along with a gatekeeping and function and hair growth stimulation functions. Important cellular functions that are altered during EGF receptor blocking therapy consist of epidermal differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, and migration, with an overall dominating effect of inducing growth arrest and terminal differentiation of the keratinocytes in the basal layers. The effects of EGFR blockage on the hair cycle include terminal differentiation of the hair follicle, which in certain cases may be associated with trichomegaly. Trichomegaly of the eyelashes may occur as an isolated occurrence or, frequently, as part of a generalized phenomenon that may be associated with the use of the EGFR inhibitors. Molecular changes associated with EGFR blockage are discussed, relevant to their association with hair growth. Modulation of Akt, AP2alpha, CDK4, Notch-1, p27KIP1, and Hedgehog expression are involved in the initiation of the hair cycle and inducement of the anagen phase, followed by proliferation and differentiation of the hair follicles. Epidermal growth factor receptor inhibitors have been developed as therapeutic molecules directed against cancer; in these regimens the knowledge of EGF receptor signaling functions has been translated into significant clinical results. However, among their various collateral effects on the skin, hair growth is observed to occur in certain patients. A particular "wavy" hair phenotype is observed during the pharmacological EGFR receptor blockade, just as in murine transgenic models that carry loss of function of TGF-alpha or EGFR genes. A better characterization of the individual roles pertaining to the EGF family ligands and receptors, has the potential provide new strategies for the management of hair loss.

Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Anthralin; Antineoplastic Agents; Biomedical Research; Clinical Medicine; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; Epidermal Growth Factor; ErbB Receptors; Eye Diseases; Hair; Hair Follicle; Hedgehog Proteins; Humans; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Mice; Multigene Family; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt; Receptors, Notch; Signal Transduction; Transcription Factor AP-2; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

Promising results with platelet-rich plasma (PRP) in androgenetic alopecia that could be associated with platelet number and growth factor levels were described.. Analyze the platelet countand growth factor levels in PRP and their correlation with hair growth parameters evaluated by using the TrichoScan (Tricholog GmbH, Freiburg, Germany).. A total of 26 patients were randomized to receive 4 subcutaneous injections of PRP or saline. Hair growth, hair density, and percentage of anagen hairs were evaluated by using the TrichoScan method before injection, 15 days after the last injection, and again 3 months after the last injection. Growth factors (platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor) were measured by the Luminex method (Millipore, Bedford, MA).. We demonstrated a significant increase in hair count (P = .0016), hair density (P = .012) and percentage of anagen hairs (P = .007) in the PRP group versus in the control group, without correlation with platelet counts or quantification of the growth factors in PRP.. Other growth factors that could be related to response to PRP were not evaluated.. Our data favor the use of PRP as a therapeutic alternative in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia. The lack of association between platelet count, platelet-derived growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and vascular endothelial growth factor levels and clinical improvement suggest that other mechanisms could be involved in this response.

Topics: Adult; Alopecia; Dermoscopy; Double-Blind Method; Epidermal Growth Factor; Hair; Humans; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; Male; Platelet Count; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; Platelet-Rich Plasma; Treatment Outcome; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Young Adult

Hair folliculogenesis and hair growth mediated by the secretory properties of white adipocytes may pave the way for the adipose-derived (AD) regenerative therapy for androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Quantitative and qualitative secretome profiling of AD stem cells (ADSCs) from different zones of hair growth in patients with AGA were analysed. 1-mm punch samples of adipose tissue associated with hair follicles, of three scalp areas (balding, non-balding and transition zones) and one periumbilical sample, were used for ADCS isolation. The ADCS secretome was analysed in conditioned media using a 41plex assay. Among the thirty-five signalling proteins analysed, the levels of VEGF, EGF, IL-6, Eotaxin, MCP-3, IFNγ-inducible protein-10 and MIP-1α were higher in the balding zone compared with the non-balding and periumbilical zones. In contrast, MCP-1 was the lowest in the balding zone in comparison with the other zones. The observed differences in the secretome suggest crosstalk between angiogenic and inflammatory processes underlying AGA aetiology and may prove relevant in both the diagnosis of AGA and the application of ADSC secretome for AGA treatment.

Topics: Adipose Tissue; Alopecia; Chemokine CCL3; Chemokine CXCL10; Epidermal Growth Factor; Hair Follicle; Humans; Interleukin-6; Scalp; Secretome; Stem Cells; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

Previously, we have demonstrated that policosanol from Chinese wax suppressed testosterone(T)-induced alopecia in mice. However, the underlying mechanism remained to be determined. Herein, we investigated the mechanism of policosanol against androgenetic alopecia (AGA). AGA was induced in Kunming mice by subcutaneous administration of testosterone propionate for 60 d. Policosanol (0.5 %, 1% or 2%) was applied topically on the back of mice. Finasteride (2%) was applied topically as a positive control. The serum T and estradiol (E2) concentrations were determined by ELISA after 28 and 60 days of treatment. The cutaneous expression or activity of key mediators of hair growth, such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and epidermal growth factor (EGF), was measured. MTS assay was performed to evaluate cell proliferation in cultured human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) treated with dihydrotestosterone (DHT). Western blotting was performed to evaluate the protein expression of Bax, Bcl2, TGF-β2, caspase-9, and caspase-3. We found lower T and T/E2 ratio in mice treated with policosanol than in the model group. Policosanol suppressed premature hair follicle entry into the regression phase, as shown by improving VEGF and EGF expression and ALP activity. The MTS assay showed that policosanol markedly inhibited the apoptosis of DHT-treated DPCs. Western blotting showed that policosanol significantly reduced the protein expression of TGF-β2, cleaved caspese-9, cleaved caspase-3, and Bax, and increased that of Bcl2. The optimal effect was obtained with 12.50 g/mL policosanol. In conclusion, policosanol prevents androgenetic alopecia by regulating hormone levels and suppressing premature hair follicle entry into the regression phase.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Alopecia; Animals; Apoptosis; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins; Cell Proliferation; Cytokines; Disease Models, Animal; Epidermal Growth Factor; Estradiol; Fatty Alcohols; Hair Follicle; Hemiptera; Male; Mice; Testosterone; Testosterone Propionate; Transforming Growth Factor beta2; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; Waxes

Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is not only a cell growth stimulant but also has a catagen-inducing effect. Because chemotherapeutic agents primarily damage anagen hair follicles, it would be important to investigate whether catagen inducers have beneficial effects in chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA). We pretreated hair follicles with topical EGF-liposomal solution in the C57BL/6 mouse model of cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia and observed the catagen-inducing property and damage response pathway after CIA. We confirmed that topical EGF application induced a catagen-like stage and found that these catagen-like hairs were protected from chemotherapy-mediated damage. Moreover, our results showed that EGF treatment favoured primary hair recovery via the dystrophic anagen pathway after CIA. Given that hair follicles subjected to less severe chemotherapeutic insult enter the dystrophic anagen pathway followed by primary recovery, the results of this study suggest that catagen inducers could be useful as a new alopecia-protection strategy, especially in the context of CIA.

Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; Cyclophosphamide; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Epidermal Growth Factor; Hair; Hair Follicle; Humans; Liposomes; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Time Factors

The present study was designed to examine the effect of epidermal growth factor (EGF) and fibroblast growth factor (FGF) on 1-beta-D-arabinofuranosylcytosine (ARA-C)- and cyclophosphamide-induced alopecia in the young rat model. Seven-day-old rats were given ARA-C with or without human or murine EGF daily for 7 days. Alopecia was scored on the 12th day of the experiment. Both human and murine EGF protected rats from ARA-C-induced alopecia. The topical application of murine EFG in dimethyl sulfoxide offered significant protection limited to the treated area. In other experiments the administration of acidic FGF (aFGF) with ARA-C resulted in protection from alopecia limited to the site of FGF injection. Neither EGF nor FGF had any influence on alopecia from cyclophosphamide. It is concluded that both EGF and FGF are effective in protecting against ARA-C-induced alopecia in the rat model.

Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Cyclophosphamide; Cytarabine; Epidermal Growth Factor; Fibroblast Growth Factors; Rats; Rats, Inbred Strains; Recombinant Proteins

After a chance observation that multiple cutaneous papillomas and squamous cell carcinomas occurred in 2 adult mice heterozygous for the repeated epilation gene Er, we surveyed a panel of 10 +/+ (wild type) and 30 Er/+ (heterozygous) mice from birth to over 2 years of age. Homozygous Er/Er mice could not be included since their defect is lethal at birth. Whereas no cutaneous tumors developed in the +/+ mice, 20 of the Er/+ mice, males and females, had developed 1-5 cutaneous papillomas and at least 1 cutaneous invasive squamous cell carcinoma by 2 years of age. No lesions were seen in mice younger than 6 months old. Although almost all Er/+ mice died with their tumor burden, no metastases have yet been proven histologically. The Er/+ mouse should serve as a useful model for the exploration of genetic factors in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in humans.

Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Antigens, Viral; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; DNA, Neoplasm; DNA, Viral; Epidermal Growth Factor; Female; Genes, Lethal; Heterozygote; Male; Mice; Mice, Mutant Strains; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Papillomaviridae; Rodent Diseases; Skin Neoplasms