Erythropoietin promotes hair shaft growth in cultured human hair follicles and modulates hair growth in mice

Bo Mi Kang, Seung Hyun Shin, Mi Hee Kwack, HyeRim Shin, Ji Won Oh, Jinoh Kim, Chanil Moon, Cheil Moon, Jung Chul Kim, Moon Kyu Kim, Young Kwan Sung

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Recent studies have shown that erythropoietin (EPO)/erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) signaling exist in both human and mouse hair follicles (HFs). Objective: To investigate whether dermal papilla cells (DPCs) express functional EPOR and, if so, to investigate effects of EPO on hair shaft growth in cultured human scalp hair follicles and hair growth in mice. Methods: EPOR expression in DPCs and follicular keratinocytes was examined by RT-PCR and immunoblot. Phosphorylation of EPOR signaling pathway mediators by EPO treatment was examined by immunoblot. MTT assay was employed to check cell viability after EPO treatment. Hair shaft growth was measured in the absence or presence of EPO and matrix keratinocyte proliferation was examined by Ki-67 immunostaining in cultured hair follicles. Agarose beads containing EPO were implanted into dorsal skin of C57BL/6 mice to examine effects of EPO on hair growth in vivo. Results: EPOR mRNA and protein are expressed in cultured human DPCs. EPOR signaling pathway mediators such as EPOR and Akt are phosphorylated by EPO in DPCs. EPO significantly promoted the growth of DPCs and elongated hair shafts with increased proliferation of matrix keratinocytes in cultured human hair follicles. In addition, EPO not only promoted anagen induction from telogen but also prolonged anagen phase. Conclusions: EPO may modulate hair growth by stimulating DPCs that express functional EPOR.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)86-90
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Dermatological Science
Volume59
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2010
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Dermal papilla
  • EPO
  • EPOR
  • Hair cycle
  • Hair follicle

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Dermatology
  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology

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