Stem cell regulation to prevent hair loss

 Stem cell regulation to prevent hair loss

Have you ever noticed dozens of strands of hair falling out when you take a shower? Or

notice that your hair has been thinner lately? Hair loss and density are based on many factors

such as genetics and environment, and it can be hard to control or find a solution to it. Especially

when it comes to genetics, hair loss is inevitable and something that most have come to terms

with. Researchers have discovered that hair loss could possibly be prevented with hair follicle

stem cells.

Research has shown that hair follicle stem cells promote hair growth and by switching

their metabolic states, their lives can be prolonged. A protein called Rictor was found to play an

important role in this process when studying mice. On average, we shed 500 million cells a day

and quantity being consisting of hairs. Specialized stem cells replace the dead cellsl in order to

promote tissue growth and an impaired activity of these stem cells causes tissues to age. When

new hairs are created, the stem cells return to their specific locations to continue their idle state.

This state requires a change in the cells’ metabolic state and this occurs when the stem cells

switch from glutamine-based metabolism and cellular respiration to glycolysis. This shift is

induced by the protein Rictor in response to low oxygen concentrations in the tissue. With mice,

hair follicle regeneration was significantly delayed in mice lacking the Rictor protein and mice

with Rictor deficiency showed a decreases in stem cell and eventually loss of hair.

Ongoing research still needs to be done to examine how mice absence of Rictor protein

can be utilized in human stem cells in order to prevent hair loss. Hair loss continues to be a

condition that affects everyone, but modifying metabolic pathways is a possible idea to boost the

regenerativity of our tissues and combat it.

- Alissa Ngo (6)

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201013124127.htm

Comments

  1. Victoria LeongOctober 24, 2022 at 6:15 PM

    Hi Alissa, it was really interesting to read about the different ways that stem cells could be put to use to combat hair loss. With so many steps in metabolic pathways in cells, modifying one part could have very different effects downstream. I am hopeful to see more research being done on this in the future to start treating hair loss, as so many people suffer from it. Is there any downsides to modifying this protein? Is this a realistic method of treatment in the future?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 8:34 AM

      Hi Victoria! I don't think there are direct downsides to modifying this protein but the challenge with modifying the poorly understood protein is to maintain its metabolic flexibility. Reversibility of the metabolic state is crucial for the growth and extension of their lives, but it is still being researched.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousOctober 26, 2022 at 8:23 AM

    Hi Alissa, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your article. I work at a dermatology clinic back in my hometown and while the clinicians don’t use stem cells they use blood plasma in PRP for hair loss. Having this experience with so many patients who struggle with hair loss makes this research phenomenal. I feel for all the patients but specifically the younger woman with severe alopecia. I hope this stem cell research develops quickly to help many of these individuals. What are your views on stem cell research? I understand many find it controversial especially for more cosmetic reasons such as hair loss. Tori Flynn

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. AnonymousOctober 27, 2022 at 8:38 AM

      Hi Tori! I think that is really cool that you get to experience that at work. I have heard about using blood plasma for hair loss, so it is really interesting that you interact with patients who are treated with blood plasma. I think that stem cell research can be really beneficial and reap many discoveries that can positively impact the health and medical fields, but obviously I am only in support when it is done ethically.

      Delete
  3. Caitlin HooperOctober 26, 2022 at 12:10 PM

    Hi Alissa! This was really interesting to read because I've always heard that its normal to lose a certain amount of hair every day, but to think this could be prevented is amazing. The ongoing research of stem cells is so incredible because so many genetic disorders that once were thought to be inevitable are being researched and are in the right direction to finding a treatment. Do you think that using stem cells for a cause that is not necessarily life threatening, such as it would be used in scenarios like sickle cell anemia, is acceptable? Or do you think this will cause issues in the field of stem cell research?

    ReplyDelete

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