Below you will find a summary of the study “Efficacy of adipose stem cell-derived exosomes in hair regeneration based on a preclinical and clinical study,” published in the August 2024 issue of dermatology by Lee et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study investigating the potential of adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes (ASC-exosomes) as a new therapeutic approach for androgenetic alopecia (AGA).
They treated human hair follicle (HF) dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) with ASC exosomes and determined ALP, VCAN, β-catenin and LEF-1 levels by RT-PCR and p-GSK3β, GSK3β, β-catenin, ALP and β-actin levels by Western blot analysis. Hair shaft elongation, ALP, Ki-67 and β-catenin testing were performed on human HF organ cultures. Patients with AGA received ASC exosome treatment and were evaluated for hair count, photographic assessments, safety profiles and subjective satisfaction.
The results showed that ASC exosomes increased hDPC proliferation and upregulated hair growth-related genes, including ALP, VCAN, β-catenin and LEF-1. The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway was activated, which promoted hair growth. The ASC exosomes also improved hair shaft elongation and ALP activity, suggesting the potential for hair regeneration; 30 participants with AGA were treated for 24 weeks and experienced a significant increase in overall hair density, improved global photographic assessments and higher subjective satisfaction, all without serious side effects.
Researchers have provided evidence of the efficacy and safety of adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes as a promising therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia.
Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijd.17406
