Researchers at the University of California, Irvine, has discover a signalling molecule that stimulates hair growth in the human body. The molecule call as SCUBE3 acts as an activating agent that contributes to hair growth.
Researchers examin the dermal papilla cells, the signal-making fibroblasts present at the bottom of each hair follicle, and the genetic structure that gives them the ability to regulate hair growth.
These dermal papilla cells can either make the follicles dormant or trigger them to proliferate hair growth.
The SCUBE3 are activating molecules that help generate this functionality of dermal papilla cells.
Maksim Plikus, the corresponding author of the study, said in a statement,
“We revealed that the SCUBE3 signalling molecules, which dermal papilla cells produce naturally, is the messenger used to ‘tell’ the neighbouring hair stem cells to start dividing, which heralds the onset of new hair growth.”
Researchers made this discovery with the help of a mouse model.
They microinject SCUBE3 into mouse skin in which human scalp follicles had transplant.
This activity result in new growth in the dormant human follicles as well as the surrounding mouse follicles.
Co-first author, Yingzi Liu Said :
“Studying this mouse model permitted us to identify SCUBE3 as the previously unknown signalling molecule that can drive excessive hair growth,”.
The research was publish in Developmental Cell.
Researchers believe that the study may contribute to devising therapeutic treatment for androgenetic alopecia, a common hair loss condition that is prevalent in both men and women.
Co-first author, Christian Guerrero-Juarez Said :
“These experiments provide proof-of-principle data that SCUBE3 or derived molecules can be a promising therapeutic for hair loss,”.
The research validates the preclinical potential of SCUBE3 and can induce the production of new, effective, and naturally occurring compounds that aid hair loss in men and women.
Right now, there is less availability of oral medicines that help the consumer curb hair loss.
Only two medicines, finasteride and minoxidil are approve by the Food and Drug Administration that are use to treat androgenetic alopecia.
These drugs are not universally effective and have to be consume daily to maintain their effect.
