Hair Growth. Credit: pnas.org
Researchers have found a solution to prevent hair loss and even stimulate hair growth by targeting hair stem cells. The study was conducted on mice, and further research will be needed.
Hair loss affects millions in the United States. By age 35, two-thirds of American men experience some hair loss. By 50, about 85% have significantly thinning hair. Women are also affected, accounting for 40% of hair loss sufferers. The main cause is androgenetic alopecia. It involves the stiffening of hair stem cells as people age. This rigidity halts the cell cycle and stops new hair production.
Baldness is Linked to Cellular Rigidity
In a study published in the journal PNAS, scientists managed to soften hair stem cells using a microRNA. This small RNA molecule, called miR-205, blocks the production of proteins responsible for cellular rigidity. These proteins, which cause the stiffness of hair stem cells, are called “actin” fibers. During experiments on mice, the researchers stopped the expression of genes necessary for making actin fibers. Consequently, they produced more miR-205. The result: it promoted hair growth in mice, whether they were young or old.
Stimulating Existing Stem Cells to Grow Hair
“Stem cells began to produce new hair after ten days of treatment,” says Rui Yi, one of the authors, in a press release. “We did not create new stem cells. We stimulated existing stem cells to grow hair. Often, we still have stem cells, but they may not be capable of generating hair.”
This solution is in the clinical trial phase, but experts intend to continue their work. “Since there is the possibility of injecting these microRNAs directly into the skin, the next step will be to test whether a localized treatment can stimulate hair production,” concludes Rui Yi.
Future Research and Limitations
This treatment is still in the preclinical stage; human trials have not begun. Researchers plan to see if it can be safely applied to people. “Since we can inject these microRNAs directly into the skin, the next step is to test whether a localized treatment can stimulate hair production,” says Professor Rui Yi. But translating results from mice to humans is challenging. Potential side effects and the long-term safety of altering miR-205 levels need thorough investigation. More research is required to develop a treatment suitable for human use.
References
Wang, J., Fu, Y., Huang, W., et al. (2023). MicroRNA-205 promotes hair regeneration by modulating mechanical properties of hair follicle stem cells. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 120(22), e2220635120. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2220635120
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