The following is a summary of “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 evaluating the potential of adipose tissue stem cell-derived exosomes (ASC-Exosomes) as a novel therapeutic approach for androgenetic alopecia (AGA).
They treated human hair follicle (HF) dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) with ASC-Exosomes and assessed ALP, VCAN, β-catenin, and LEF-1 levels using RT-PCR, along with p-GSK3β, GSK3β, β-catenin, ALP, and β-actin levels through western blot analysis. Hair shaft elongation, ALP, Ki-67, and β-catenin assays were performed on human HF organ cultures. Patients with AGA received ASC-Exosomes treatment and were evaluated for hair counts, 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 pathway was activated, promoting hair growth. The ASC-Exosomes also enhanced hair shaft elongation and ALP activity, indicating the potential for hair regeneration; 30 participants with AGA were treated over 24 weeks, experiencing a significant increase in total hair density, improved global photographic assessments, and higher subjective satisfaction, all without severe adverse reactions.
Investigators provided evidence for the efficacy and safety of exosomes derived from adipose tissue stem cells as a promising therapeutic option for androgenetic alopecia.
Source: onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/ijd.17406
