The Biology and Genomics of Human Hair Follicles: A Focus on Androgenetic Alopecia

Overview

Journal Int J Mol Sci

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Chemistry
Molecular Biology

Date 2024 Mar 13

PMID 38473791

Authors

Raquel Cuevas-Diaz Duran

Emmanuel Martinez-Ledesma

Melissa Garcia-Garcia

Denisse Bajo Gauzin

Andrea Sarro-Ramirez

Carolina Gonzalez-Carrillo

Denise Rodriguez-Sardin

Alejandro Fuentes

Alejandro Cardenas-Lopez

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia is a highly prevalent condition mainly affecting men. This complex trait is related to aging and genetics; however, multiple other factors, for example, lifestyle, are also involved. Despite its prevalence, the underlying biology of androgenetic alopecia remains elusive, and thus advances in its treatment have been hindered. Herein, we review the functional anatomy of hair follicles and the cell signaling events that play a role in follicle cycling. We also discuss the pathology of androgenetic alopecia and the known molecular mechanisms underlying this condition. Additionally, we describe studies comparing the transcriptional differences in hair follicles between balding and non-balding scalp regions. Given the genetic contribution, we also discuss the most significant risk variants found to be associated with androgenetic alopecia. A more comprehensive understanding of this pathology may be generated through using multi-omics approaches.

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