Hair Follicles Grown in a Lab – Research Secrets Revealed

The loss of hair on the scalp is actually a regular part of daily life for the public. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it is estimated that a common amount of hair loss per day is between fifty and one hundred hairs per day. While this is a daily occurrence for many people, the idea of hair loss and balding can actually be quite traumatic for people of all ages. Depending on the amount of hair loss, a hair transplant might be the ideal choice to address the issue of balding and thinning hair.

Or is it?

Recent research out of Japan has shed a light on some potential hair growth methods that could have an impact on the treatment of hair loss in the future.

Hair Follicles Grown in a Lab – Info Here

New research about the generating of new hair follicles, in vitro in a lab, was published in the journal, Science Advances, and the information came from a team of researchers from Yokohama National University in Japan who studied the generation of hair follicles in cultures.

The team of researchers explained that their work was centered on the practice of performing “organoid” cultures AKA smaller and simpler “versions of an organ” that have received greater attention in research that is performed to provide a better understanding of organ and tissue development.

The researchers also explained that, when an embryo forms, a series of messages will shoot back and forth between the connective tissue of the skin and the epidermal layer of the skin. In turn, these signals will stimulate hair follicle creation in a process known as morphogenesis. In the past, it was quite difficult for researchers to fully understand the process behind the development of hair follicles. Plus, hair follicles have also not been reproduced in a culture dish (until now).

Hair Follicles Grown in a Lab – Research Team Speaks Out

In order to conduct the study, the research team used rodent embryonic cells because of “their shorter period of hair generation, higher hair-inducing activity, and availability compared to cells of human origin.” According to the author of the study, Junji Fukuda, PhD, who is a professor in the faculty of engineering at Yokohama University, “We were surprised that hair follicle tissues capable of producing hairs could be obtained by culture. It was even more surprising that we were able to increase the probability of hair formation from less than 1% – one out of 300 cell aggregates – at the beginning of the research to almost 100% – or 300 out of 300 cell aggregates – in this study.”

The hair follicles were created by controlling the structure of the series of messages between the connective skin tissue and the epidermal layer of the skin through a “low concentration of extracellular matrices” which is a network in the human body that offers a structure for the cells and tissues. The research team reported that they were able to grow hair follicles and hair shafts “with almost 100% efficiency” which means they were able to produce “fully mature hair follicles with long hair shafts” that measured about 3-mm in length in a period of twenty-three days in the culture.

Due to the generation of hair follicles, the research team was able to examine the morphogenesis process along with hair pigmentation in vitro. This examination process gave them a more in-depth understanding of the “signal process” that stimulated the growth of the follicles.

Fukuda said, “Our system provides a continuous in vitro observation of the process of new hair follicle formation. Thus, it can help us to better understand how hairs are formed and what happens when certain external stimuli are applied in the process. We can also continuously observe how melanosomes [organelles that process and hold melanin pigments] are passed on to the hairs and pigmented, which can be used to understand the causes of gray hairs and develop drugs to treat them.”

Hair Follicles Created in a Lab – Can They Helps Patients in the Future?

While this research news certainly offers the possibility of what might be a new hair regrowth method in the future, it still remains a future possibility and not a definitive hair loss treatment in the present day.

In order to determine both the cause of the hair loss and the treatment options, patients need to undergo a thorough medical examination by a medical professional who is board-certified and an expert in treating hair loss conditions. The doctor can examine the scalp of the patient to identify the reason for the hair loss along with the extent of the hair loss and the ideal treatment option (such as a hair transplant).

The new research described in this article not only contributes to the current understanding of how hair follicles develop, there is also a possibility that it might have useful applications when it comes to the future treatment of hair loss.

Fukuda added, “For hair regenerative medicine application, our method prepares hair follicles with hair shafts before transplantation, which may greatly improve the efficiency of hair regeneration compared to the method that produces hair follicles after cells or cell aggregates are transplanted into the skin. Our approach is similar to current hair transplantation.”

While the research described above is focused on cells found in rodents, the next step would be to attempt the process with human cells for further study and research.

What Group Of Men Is More Likely To Go Bald?

It’s been said that hair loss doesn’t discriminate and that it can impact almost anyone. However, a study earlier this year suggests there is one group of people who might be more likely to have some amount of hair loss.

Who is this group of people???

According to research published earlier this year in Nature Communications, white men on the shorter side of the size spectrum might have a greater chance of male hair loss than other men. The research studied and identified genetic associations among such factors as greater rates of premature hair loss, earlier occurrences of puberty, reduced body size and some cancers.

The authors of the study used a global group of 12,000 men without hair loss and 11,000 men who have premature baldness. According to Dr. Stefanie Heilmann-Heimbach of the University of Bonn, “We were thus able to identify 63 alterations in the human genome that increase the risk of premature hair loss.”

In the same press release that quoted Dr. Heilmann-Heimbach, Professor Markus Nothen, director of the Institute of Human Genetics at the University of Bonn, noted that the analysis of genetic associations also pinpointed links that exist between light skin color, increased bone density and premature baldness. Dr. Nothen said that the links indicated that males with hair loss are better equipped to use sunlight as a way to synthesize vitamin D and that it could also explain why white males seem to lose their hair more prematurely than other men.

Despite their findings, the research team did say that additional studies will need to be conducted before any final conclusions can be made regarding shorter white males being more prone to hair loss.

Shaved Mice Lead To an Unexpected Discovery

It seems like every week brings news detailing a new cause of balding and this week is no exception. As reported in the journal, Cell, researchers recently discovered a method that could help regrow hair while they were not even searching for that information. They were actually studying the role played by Tregs (anti-inflammatory immune cells) in the area of skin health.

The scientists had discovered a means to remove the Tregs (on a temporary basis) from the skin of lab mice. The researchers shaved these test mice so they could more easily observe the effects of the test. Once the experiment with the mice started, the research team began to notice something odd: The hair that was shaved did not grow back.

It was previously believed that stem cells cause hair to grow again after it falls out. However, the research team realized this will only happen if Tregs are present. When asked about the importance of Tregs to the growth of hair, Professor Michael Rosenblum, a dermatologist and immunologist at the University of California San Francisco, said “When a hair falls out, the whole hair follicle has to grow back. This has been thought to be an entirely stem-cell dependent process, but it turns out Tregs are essential.” He went on to add that the stem cells seem to rely on the Tregs to know when it is time for them to being the regeneration process.

While it was noted that removing the Tregs from the skin prevented the regrowth of hair, this only occurred if it was done within three days of the hair being shaved. After the three-day period was over, the hair would start to grow again at a normal rate even though the Tregs were removed.

The research team also believes that defects found in Tregs might be the cause of alopecia areata. Finally, they noted that the stem cells that help in the hair regrowth process are also a part of the process of healing damage to the skin, which also means that Tregs might be involved in skin healing.

Before the information regarding Tregs can be put to use in hair loss treatments, more research regarding Tregs and the role it plays in the area of hair regrowth needs to be conducted.

Gene Associated With Grey Hair Is Identified

A study led by researchers at University College London has identified the first gene associated with the hair turning grey. In a study published in Nature Communications, a research team examined a group of over 6000 people across Latin America. The study group consisted of people of various ancestral backgrounds in an attempt to identify new genes related to such factors as greying, the color of the hair, the curly or straight shape of the hair and its density.

A First Time Discovery

According to the lead author of the study, Dr. Kaustubh Adhikari, UCL Cell & Developmental Biology, “We already know several genes involved in balding and hair color but this is the first time a gene for greying has been identified in humans. It was only possible because we analyzed a diverse melting pot of people, which hasn’t been done before on this scale. These findings have potential forensic and cosmetic applications as we increase our knowledge on how genes influence the way we look.”

The gene that the study identified for grey hair is called IRF4. Although it has been known in the past to play a part in the hair color of an individual, these results are the first time that IRF 4 has been associated with hair turning grey. The gene works by regulating the storage, as well as the production, of melanin. Melanin is the pigment that determines the color of the eyes as well as the hair and skin color. If there is an absence of melanin in the hair, grey hair can occur and scientists are working to determine the role of IRF4 in the process. They hope that further understanding of the exact part IRF4 plays in the greying of hair can lead to cosmetic applications to alter the appearance of the hair by blocking, or at least slowing down, the greying of the hair.

Who Took Part In The Study?

The participants in the study totaled a sample size of 6357 people from locations such as Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Brazil and Peru. The group was 45% male and 55% female. Their ancestry was varied and included people of mixed Native American, African and European backgrounds. Both the women and men were examined for color, greying, hair shape and balding while only the men were tested for eyebrow thickness and beard. The visual traits of each person were compared to a set of whole genome analysis results in order to identify the genes that drive differences in the appearance of people. They were then checked against databases of different populations to determine if the differences were valid and made sense using previously gained knowledge as a gauge. The study results confirmed that greying, much like hair loss, has a genetic component and is not merely a result of environmental factors.

3 Hair Restoration Techniques Showing Promise For Patients

New techniques are constantly being tested and researched to try and combat hair loss. Some might show promise and be marketed to consumers while others will never get out of the research phase. Here are some techniques currently being studied to help those who suffer from hair loss:

1. Hair Multiplication

A partnership between the RIKEN Research Institute of Japan as well the Japanese electronics company, Kyocera, and Organ Technologies is studying the science of hair multiplication for dealing with hair loss. The research team plans to extract the hair follicles of a patient and then multiply them through the use of cell culturing. The multiplied hair will then be transplanted back onto the areas of the scalp that are balding. The process of hair multiplication looks to solve the issue of insufficient donor hair supply on the back of the scalp. The research team is aiming for 2020 as the date for the process to be commercially available.

2. Skin Perturbation

Follica is a United States company looking to combine skin perturbation (where the top layers of the scalp are peeled back) and topical compounds. The removal of the top layers of the skin prompts the skin cells that are located beneath them to change to a stem-like state. Once this happens, a topical compound is applied to the area to stimulate new hair follicle growth. This technique is designed to work on patients who have already lost their hair. Once the skin is peeled back, the cells in the area make the decision to create more skin or hair. Follica is working on trials with mice and human subjects to try and move the cells in the direction of making more hair. They hope to finish their trials sometime this year and have the technique ready for public use by 2018.

3. Wnt Signal Reactivation

The biotechnology company, Samumed, released data from the second phase of their clinical trial of SMO4554 in 2016. The data showed information regarding SMO4554 which is a drug applied topically to patients with male pattern hair loss. The drug works by restarting any Wnt signaling pathways that were disrupted. These are the proteins that give instructions to a cell. The idea behind starting the signals again is that hair growth will begin again once normal cell functions have resumed. Samumed plans on starting the next phase of their clinical trials later this year which should give the public a better idea about the viability of the technique.

Clinical Research Study

The FUE Advancement Committee (formerly known as the FUE Research Committee of ISHRS) continues to work towards improvements in the field of FUE hair restoration. Founded by Dr. Mohebi in 2012, the committee includes the most talented hair transplant surgeons across the globe. The committee also continues to create and implement studies designed to fine-tune the techniques and instruments that help improve the quality and end result of FUE procedures.

The ongoing studies are conducted in several countries and in several centers across the globe. Currently, they are performing several studies and are actively looking for participants to take part in the studies.

If you are interested in finding out if you are qualified to take part in one of the studies, please click on the link above for more information. Dr. Mohebi is the lead investigator on “FUE Graft Survival: Implants vs. Forceps” and Parsa Mohebi Hair Restoration is one of the study centers for “FUE vs. Strip Graft Survival”.

You are also welcome to contact our office for more information.

The future of hair restoration will be here before you know it. The staff of Parsa Mohebi Hair Restoration is committed to making sure that our patients, as well as patients across the globe, receive the best care and results possible in the field of hair restoration.

A Look at The Psychology Of Hair Loss And Hair Transplants

One of the things men and women learn while growing up is a full head of hair is a symbol of power and strength.  The loss of that symbol of youth can have a devastating psychological impact on the identity and self-worth of a person.  Hair loss has and its consequences have been studied extensively and some of the reported psychological effects on male patients include:

• Detrimental impact on their sex life
• Affected career choices in men
• Inability to stay competitive in the work place
• Increased anxiety levels among younger men
• A higher rate of depression in men with male patterned baldness (1)

While there have been published reports on the psychological impact of hair loss in both men and women, the corrective effect of hair restoration has not been studied until the last few years.  We have conducted a study to evaluate this.  Our motivation for this study came from our observations of the changes in patient’s behavior as well as their overall satisfaction after their hair transplant.

A Unique Study on the Psychological Effects of Hair Loss

In 2008, Drs. Parsa Mohebi and William Rassman conducted a study (2) to quantify the psycho-social impact of hair loss in men with typical male-patterned baldness.  The study criteria were based on a combination of prior studies as well as clinical observations that could be modified by a hair restoration procedure.

A group of patients were picked who have had a hair transplant in the past and they were surveyed the changes they experienced through a questionnaire.  The questionnaires featured queries about these eight criteria:

• Level of happiness
• Energy level
• Youthful feeling
• Feelings of anxiety
• Self-Confidence
• Feelings about the future
• Impact of the procedure on their career
• Impact of the procedure on their sex life.

The patients chosen for the study (200 men with male patterned baldness) had their first hair transplant between 1-3 years prior to the study.   Their participation was voluntary and their responses were permitted to be anonymous.

The Results of the Study

We discovered the patients had significant improvements in each of the criteria regardless of their age or their stage of baldness.  In fact, most patients showed a greater sense of well-being in their youthfulness, career, energy level, sex life and overall happiness.  They also felt improvement in their anxiety levels, self-confidence and outlook on their future. These studies confirm the significance of hair to people’s self-esteem

Hair Transplant = A Better Self Image

Natural looking results from today’s advanced hair transplant procedures can help prevent, and in some cases even reverse, many psychological problems associated with hair loss.  The more a person suffers from the effects of hair loss, the greater the positive effect of a transplant on their psychological well-being.

According to the study, patients with an active social life who experienced hair loss at an early age were more likely to suffer from anxiety and other negative effects.  Therefore we can easily assume that hair loss can lead to a negative impact of the future outlook and positive attitude of a person.  These negative feelings seem to reverse after a hair restoration procedure.

Although the response rate was not 100%, the results support the observations of hair restoration physicians and anecdotal evidence from patients. 

Final Thoughts on the Psychology of Hair Restoration

Those experiencing hair loss, but not feeling any negative effects from the loss, are less likely to have a hair transplant procedure.  However, most men and women suffering from hair loss find hair restoration to make a significant improvement in many aspects of their lives.  Whether they’re looking to improve their chances in the job market, seeking a more youthful appearance or simply searching for some greater measure of self-worth, hair restoration is an option that helps broaden both personal and professional horizons.

Since you’re looking at our website, you might already be inclined to have a procedure.  We would be happy to meet with you for a professional consultation appointment.

(1)    Alfonso, Mariola., et al. The psychosocial impact of hair loss among men: A multinational European study. Curr. Med. Res. Opin. 2005; 21:1829-36.

(2)    Mohebi, Parsa and Rassman, William R., Psychology of Hair Transplants, Hair Transplant Forum International, March/April 2008 (Vol. 18, Number 2, Pages 41 and 47), Los Angeles, California.

Latisse and Alternatives for Eyebrow Hair Growth

Q:

Hello Dr. Mohebi!

I would like to have thicker eyebrows and have looked online for options to help me achieve this goal.  I heard Latisse could help so I bought it and have been trying it.

I know that I have to use it for a little while before I see results but I am getting kind of impatient. I am curious if there is a cheaper option since Latisse is rather expensive.  Careprost, Lumigan, Travoprost and Bimatoprost are all alternatives that I see people write about online as cheaper alternatives and they seem to have some success.

Do you have a recommendation? I would appreciate any insights you have to offer me.

A:

Bimatoprost is the scientific name of a synthetic prostamide anolog and it used for the treatment of glaucoma (an ocular disorder that results in optic nerve damage through an increased amount of fluid pressure inside the eyes).  This medication, as well as other prostamides, can also increase the growth phase of hair follicles.  In turn, this will lead to longer and fuller eyelashes.  Prostamides, such as Bimatoprost, were successfully tested for the treatment of eyebrow hair as well.

There are many different types of prostamides and they include:

• Bimatoprost (with brand names such as Latisse, Careprost and Lumigan)
• Travoprost (Brand name: Travatan)
• Latanoprost (Brand name: Xalatan)

All of these prostaglandins are available in different concentrations and available at different prices. According to the American Academy of Optometry, all three ophthalmic drugs (bimatoprost, latanoprost, and travoprost) are effective treatments for the goal of increasing eyelash growth.

References

1. Topical Bimatoprost for the Treatment of Eyebrow Hypotrichosis
2. The Cosmetic Effects of Bimatoprost vs. Latanoprost vs. Travoprost vs. Placebo on Eyelash Growth