#20 A Research Paper on Dermal Adipose Tissue and Hair Growth/Pigmentation: Unveiling the Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor
Carina Nicu, James D.B. O’Sullivan, Raul Ramos, Ludovica Timperi, Tiffany Lai, Nilofer Farjo, Bessam Farjo, Jenny Pople, Ranjit Bhogal, Jonathan A. Hardman, Maksim V. Plikus, David M. Ansell and Ralf Paus (2021) Dermal Adipose Tissue Secretes HGF to Promote Human Hair Growth and Pigmentation. J. Invest. Dermatol. 141, 1633-1645.
This study delves into the intricate relationship between dermal adipose tissue (dWAT) and human hair growth and pigmentation. It sheds light on how dWAT surrounding hair follicles (HFs) influences these processes through a signaling molecule called Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF).
Key Highlights:
The size and fat-burning activity of dWAT cells change throughout the hair growth cycle, suggesting their involvement in hair development.
dWAT promotes hair growth by stimulating hair shaft production and keratinocyte proliferation in the hair matrix.
dWAT also enhances hair pigmentation by promoting the differentiation of melanin-producing cells.
Pericytes and progenitor cells within dWAT secrete HGF, which interacts with the c-Met receptor in the hair follicle.
HGF treatment mimics the effects of dWAT on hair growth and pigmentation, while blocking HGF signaling negates these effects.
HGF activates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway, a critical pathway for hair growth.
HGF from dWAT regulates the expression of genes essential for hair structure and color (keratin genes and TCHH).
Figure 6 provides a schematic overview of the researchers’ proposed mechanism
