Alopecia can be extremely disheartening and drastically alter someone’s confidence and self-image. The condition affects men and women, and scientists are looking into different treatments and possible cures for the different forms of alopecia. 

Researchers have identified a molecule that determines whether or not hair regrows. This molecule is called SCUBE3, and it could lead to new treatments for alopecia. 

Discovery and regrowth 

It is well known that dermal papilla cells at the bottom of each hair follicle are responsible for the continued regrowth of hair. However, the genetic reason for how these cells are activated was a mystery. That was until researchers from the University of California, Irvine discovered the SCUBE3 molecule. 

“At different times during the hair follicle life cycle, the very same dermal papilla cells can send signals that either keep follicles dormant or trigger new hair growth,” says corresponding author Maksim Plikus, a professor of developmental and cell biology.

“We revealed that the SCUBE3 signaling molecule, which dermal papilla cells produce naturally, is the messenger used to ‘tell’ the neighboring hair stem cells to start dividing, which heralds the onset of new hair growth.”

For people with androgenic alopecia, activating the dermal papilla cells is the key to solving their hair loss. These cells in alopecia patients are malfunctioning, but researchers believe that SCUBE3 is the key to reversing this process. Tests on mice proved them correct. Lab mice who had transplanted human scalp follicles were micro-injected with SCUBE3 and this induced new hair growth in the human and mice follicles on the mice.

This discovery bodes well for the future of alopecia treatment and possible new medications. 

“There is a strong need for new, effective hair loss medicines, and naturally occurring compounds that are normally used by the dermal papilla cells present ideal next-generation candidates for treatment,” Plikus says. “Our test in the human hair transplant model validates the preclinical potential of SCUBE3.”

Source Study: Developmental Cell — Hedgehog signaling reprograms hair follicle niche fibroblasts to a hyper-activated state – ScienceDirect