Application of extracellular vesicles from mesenchymal stem cells promotes hair growth by regulating human dermal cells and follicles

BACKGROUND

Dermal papillae (DP) and outer root sheath (ORS) cells play important roles in hair growth and regeneration by regulating the activity of hair follicle (HF) cells.

AIM

To investigate the effects of human mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (hMSC-EVs) on DP and ORS cells as well as HFs. EVs are known to regulate various cellular functions. However, the effects of hMSC-EVs on hair growth, particularly on human-derived HF cells (DP and ORS cells), and the possible mechanisms underlying these effects are unknown.

METHODS

hMSC-EVs were isolated and characterized using transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, western blotting, and flow cytometry. The activation of DP and ORS cells was analyzed using cellular proliferation, migration, western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. HF growth was evaluated ex vivo using human HFs.

RESULTS

Wnt3a is present in a class of hMSC-EVs and associated with the EV membrane. hMSC-EVs promote the proliferation of DP and ORS cells. Moreover, they translocate β-catenin into the nucleus of DP cells by increasing the expression of β-catenin target transcription factors (Axin2, EP2 and LEF1) in DP cells. Treatment with hMSC-EVs also promoted the migration of ORS cells and enhanced the expression of keratin (K) differentiation markers (K6, K16, K17, and K75) in ORS cells. Furthermore, treatment with hMSC-EVs increases hair shaft elongation in cultured human HFs.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that hMSC-EVs are potential candidates for further preclinical and clinical studies on hair loss treatment.

Effects of <10-µm Particulate Matter on Cultured Human Sebocytes and Outer Root Sheath Cells and Usefulness of Siegesbeckia Herba Extract

Background

Particulate matter (PM) is one of the air pollutants that can damage human skin; the recent increase in the amount of PM may be detrimental to skin health.

Objective

We aimed to investigate the effects of PM on cultured human sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells and the effects of Siegesbeckia Herba extract (SHE) on PM-treated cultured cells.

Methods

Sebocytes and ORS cells were cultured. The cultured cells were treated with various concentrations of PM of <10 µm in size (PM10) (10 µg/ml, 25 µg/ml, 50 µg/ml, and 100 µg/ml) for 24 h. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, measurement of reactive oxygen species (ROS), small interfering (si) RNA transfection, Oil Red O and Nile red staining, and immunofluorescence staining were performed to analyze the presence of inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR), nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-κB), ROS, and lipid production. In addition, PM10 (100 µg/ml)-treated cultured cells were treated with 10 mg/ml of SHE.

Results

PM10 upregulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, AhR, NF-κB, and ROS in cultured human sebocytes and ORS cells. The production of ROS was dramatically reduced in AhR siRNA-transfected cells. In addition, PM10 upregulates sebum production in cultured sebocytes. SHE inhibited the upregulation of inflammatory cytokines, MMPs, AhR, NF-κB, ROS, and sebum production in cultured human sebocytes and/or ORS cells by PM10.

Conclusion

Effects of PM10 on cultured human sebocytes and ORS cells can be regulated by SH.

Red Ginseng Acidic Polysaccharides Promote the Expression of Acne-Related Inflammatory Biomarkers in Lipopolysaccharide-Treated Sebocytes and Outer Root Sheath Cells and Cutibacterium acnes-Injected Mice

Background

Although ginseng has beneficial effects largely related to their constituent ginsenosides, pharmacological effects of non-ginsenosides have been reported. Acidic polysaccharides of red ginseng (RGAP) are among the non-ginsenoside constituents that have characterized antioxidant properties.

Objective

We investigated the impact of RGAP on sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and in mice with Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes)-induced inflammatory nodules.

Methods

Sebocytes and ORS cells were cultured and treated with either 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 µg/ml LPS, 50 µg/ml RGAP or 5 µg/ml LPS+50 µg/ml RGAP for 6 and 24 hours. Real-time polymerase chain reaction, ELISA, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence staining were among the methods used to detect and quantify inflammatory cytokine production. Mice infected with C. acnes were treated with 2 weeks of RGAP provided in drinking water followed by immunohistochemical evaluation of inflammatory nodules.

Results

Administration of RGAP to LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cell cultures resulted in increased expression of inflammatory cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α, toll-like receptor 2, p-c-jun, p-JNK and p-iKB (p<0.05). Administration of RGAP also resulted in increased expression of LL37 in LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells, and increased production of sebum in LPS-treated sebocytes (p<0.05). RGAP also promoted increased expression of inflammatory biomarkers in C. acnes-associated inflammatory nodules in mice (p<0.05).

Conclusion

RGAP may exacerbate inflammatory pathology associated with acne vulgaris. Ginseng supplements may be contraindicated in patients diagnosed with inflammatory acne.

Hair Growth Promotion by δ-Opioid Receptor Activation

Literature has revealed that the delta opioid receptor (DOR) exhibited diverse pharmacological effects on neuron and skin. In the present study, we have investigated whether the activation of DOR has hair-growth promotion effects. Compared with other opioid receptor, DOR was highly expressed in epidermal component of hair follicle in human and rodents. The expression of DOR was high in the anagen phase, but it was low in the catagen and telogen phases during mouse hair cycle. Topical application of UFP-512, a specific DOR agonist, significantly accelerated the induction of the anagen in C₃H mice. Topical application of UFP-512 also increased the hair length in hair organ cultures and promoted the proliferation and the migration of outer root sheath (ORS) cells. Similarly, pharmacological inhibition of DOR by naltrindole significantly inhibited the anagen transition process and decreased hair length in hair organ cultures. Thus, we further examined whether Wnt/β-catenin pathway was related to the effects of DOR on hair growth. We found that Wnt/β-catenin pathway was activated by UFP-512 and siRNA for β-catenin attenuated the UFP-512 induced proliferation and migration of ORS cells. Collectively, result established that DOR was involved in hair cycle regulation, and that DOR agonists such as UFP-512 should be developed for novel hair-loss treatment.

Effect of Red Ginseng Oil on Cultured Sebocytes and Outer Root Sheath Cells after Treatment with Lipopolysaccharide

Background

Ginseng has been known in Korea as a health-supportive herbal medicine from time immemorial. Essential oil isolated from fresh ginseng has been shown to display antibacterial and anti-inflammatory activities.

Objective

The effects of red ginseng oil (RGO) on the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated sebocytes and outer root sheath (ORS) cells were studied.

Methods

The cultured cells were treated with either 0.1% dimethyl sulfoxide, 5 µg/ml LPS, 50 µg/ml RGO, or 5 µg/ml LPS plus 50 µg/ml RGO for 6 and 24 hours. RT-PCR, real-time PCR, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were performed for the analysis of inflammatory cytokine.

Results

RGO showed the increased gene and protein expression of inflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. RGO also showed the increased protein expression of p-c-jun and p-JNK in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Gene expression of TLR2 was increased in LPS-treated sebocytes following treatment with RGO. Additionally, RGO resulted in an increased expression of LL-37 in the LPS-treated sebocytes and ORS cells. Moreover, it remarkably increased the production of sebum in LPS-treated sebocytes.

Conclusion

RGO might be among the aggravating factors of acne vulgaris. It would be better to stop taking red ginseng in patients with inflammatory acne.

Evaluating hair growth promoting effects of candidate substance: A review of research methods

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common form of hair loss disorder. As the prevalence of AGA rises, the demand for AGA treatments is rising accordingly, prompting research to identify therapeutic candidates to treat AGA. Because AGA is caused by crosstalk among multiple hair follicle (HF) cell components, understanding the effects of candidate molecules on HF cells is essential to determining therapeutic candidates for treatment. To date, research has centered on HF dermal papilla and outer root sheath cells and has indicated that the hair growth effects of candidate substances may be mediated via alterations in several signaling pathways and signature genes in these HF cells. In more integrative evaluations, the HF unit is used as an ex vivo organ culture model to verify the effects of therapeutic candidates. Animal models have also been used to evaluate the effects of candidate substances. The main outcomes used to evaluate the effects of candidate substances are 1) changes in HF growth rates in vitro, 2) anagen induction capabilities, and 3) the effects of androgen modulation. This article reviews a series of methods used to evaluate the hair growth-promoting effects of candidate substances, providing an overview of cell assays, organs, and animal models used in AGA research in order to facilitate AGA research moving forward.

Sox9 Increases the Proliferation and Colony-forming Activity of Outer Root Sheath Cells Cultured In Vitro

BACKGROUND

β-catenin plays a pivotal role in hair follicle development and hair growth cycle.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify β-catenin-regulated genes in cultured human hair outer root sheath (ORS) cells.

METHODS

Primary cultured ORS cells were transduced with recombinant adenovirus expressing N-terminal truncated β-catenin (constitutive active form), and β-catenin-regulated genes were identified.

RESULTS

Overexpression of the constitutively active form of β-catenin led to induction of Sox9 expression at both mRNA and protein levels. To investigate the potential role of Sox9, we made the recombinant adenovirus expressing green fluorescent protein-tagged Sox9, and then transduced into cultured ORS cells. Interestingly, Sox9 induced the expression of keratin 15, increased the proliferation of ORS cells in vitro, and enhanced colony-forming activity.

CONCLUSION

Our results suggest that Sox9 is a β-catenin-regulated gene in ORS cells, and has potential importance in the regulation of hair follicle homeostasis.