tetracycline and Alopecia

Biological evaluation of hair growth/differentiation activity in vitro has been a formidable challenge, primarily due to the lack of relevant model cell systems. To solve this problem, we generated a stable model cell line in which successive differentiation via epidermal progenitors to hair components is easily inducible and traceable. Mouse induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cell-derived cells were selected to stably express a tetracycline (Tet)-inducible bone morphogenic protein-4 (BMP4) expression cassette and a luciferase reporter driven by a hair-specific keratin 31 gene (krt31) promoter (Tet-BMP4-KRT31-Luc iPS). While Tet- BMP4-KRT31-Luc iPS cells could be maintained as stable iPS cells, the cells differentiated to produce luciferase luminescence in the presence of all-trans retinoic acid (RA) and doxycycline (Dox), and addition of a hair differentiation factor significantly increased luciferase fluorescence. Thus, this cell line may provide a reliable cell-based screening system to evaluate drug candidates for hair differentiation activity.

Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4; Cell Differentiation; Cell Engineering; Cell Line; Doxycycline; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Hair; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells; Keratins, Hair-Specific; Keratins, Type I; Luciferases; Luminescent Agents; Mice; Promoter Regions, Genetic; Tetracycline; Tretinoin

Telogen effluvium is a common type of hair loss. Although the morphological changes associated with telogen effluvium have been well characterized, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unknown, and no animal models have been developed. We report here that inducible transgenic mice expressing high levels of the transcription factor, tTA (tetracycline transactivator), plus a reporter luciferase gene, show a reversible hair loss phenotype. Skin of these mice exhibits an increase in the number of hair follicles at the telogen phase, but a decreased number of follicles at the anagen phase. These changes resemble skin pathology seen in patients with telogen effluvium, which suggests that the inducible transgenic mice may be useful as a model for this disorder. Moreover, since overexpression of several other transgenes failed to cause skin pathology, the present findings also indicate types of molecular abnormalities that may cause reversible hair loss.

Topics: Alopecia; Animals; Disease Models, Animal; Doxycycline; Gene Expression Regulation; Mice; Mice, Transgenic; Tetracycline; Trans-Activators

The administration of anti-androgens brings favourable results especially in such skin diseases showing unsatisfactory therapeutic results, i.e. all severe forms of acne, seborrhoea, androgenic alopecia and hirsutism. Exact knowledge of the oestrogen and gestagen effect is essential. Also of fundamental importance is the observation and consideration of side effects besides the contraceptive efficacy and therapeutic results in dermatology.

Topics: Acne Vulgaris; Alopecia; Androgen Antagonists; Contraceptives, Oral; Contraceptives, Oral, Hormonal; Dermatitis, Seborrheic; Female; Hirsutism; Humans; Hypertrichosis; Skin Diseases; Tetracycline; Tretinoin

Topics: Adult; Aged; Alopecia; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Balanitis; Biopsy; Child; Child, Preschool; Chloramphenicol; Deoxyuridine; Diagnosis, Differential; Diagnostic Errors; Erythromycin; Exanthema; Female; Hemorrhoids; Hernia, Inguinal; Herpes Simplex; Humans; Lymphadenitis; Male; Metronidazole; Middle Aged; Mycoses; Oxytetracycline; Penicillins; Sarcoidosis; Sclerosis; Skin Tests; Stomatitis; Syphilis; Syphilis Serodiagnosis; Syphilis, Latent; Tetracycline