Hair Loss Treatment

Nippon Rinsho. 2008 May;66(5):892-6.

Hair follicle regeneration

Itami S.

Hair growth cycle is coordinated with complex processes that are dependent on the interactions of follicular stem cells and dermal papilla cells (DPCs). For the past 10 years, the developmental mechanism of hair follicles has been extensively studied, and spatial and temporal expressions of many molecules are required for the hair morphogenesis. These molecules are also required for hair cycle progression. Androgen receptor, which is a ligand dependent transcription factor, plays an important role in human hair cycle. Frontal scalp DPCs from androgenetic alopecia (AGA) are the target cells of androgen action. Minoxidil and Finasteride were recently introduced for the treatment of AGA, and cell therapy using DPCs is a next strategy for the innovative treatment.