A new way to activate stem cells in hair follicles may be the answer to the dreaded problem of hair loss. Hair follicle cells are the mechanical parts of the human scalp. To find ways to restore hair growth, researchers first sought to understand the factors governing hair loss. They discovered that two genes known as FOXC1 and NFATC1 play a key role. Both proteins imprison hair follicle stem cells in a bulge. Mice lacking the proteins started losing their hair at around four months of age, while mice without FOXC1 or NFATC1 had lost all their hair by the time they were sixteen months old.
Dermal papilla:
Scientists have discovered that specialized fibroblasts in the dermal papilla trigger the growth of new hair. These cells sit at the base of each hair follicle. These cells are not directly related to hair follicle genes, but their presence has been linked to the development of androgenetic alopecia. Although it is unclear how these stem cells are activated, they may be important for promoting hair growth.
Glucocorticoids:
Glucocorticoids act as a potent stimulant of hair follicle stem cells, which direct their actions by triggering the production of TGF-beta3 in hair strands. Those signals induce the stem cells to grow and develop into new strands of hair. Glucocorticoids can also induce the growth of new hair in humans.
Prednisolone:
Scientists have discovered a new method for activating stem cells in the hair follicle to make it grow hair. Stem cells in the hair follicle are long-lived cells that produce hair throughout a person’s life. Normally inactive, they quickly activate to produce hair during the new hair cycle. Several factors are thought to regulate the activity of these stem cells.
Other drugs:
The idea that hair-growth-promoting drugs could be developed using other drugs is a promising one. Millions of people suffer from hair loss, so the ability to stimulate new hair growth is a boon. Researchers found that Lactate dehydrogenase activity drives the activation of hair follicle stem cells. Using these findings, scientists hope to develop new treatments for hair loss and baldness. These are some innovations that help activate stem cells to make hair grow.
