Researchers Discover MicroRNA that Shows Potential for Hair Regrowth
Researchers at North Carolina State University identified a microRNA that could stimulate hair growth. This miRNA, miR-218-5p, plays an important part in regulating the pathway that is involved in hair follicle regrowth. It could be a potential candidate for drug development in the future.
Dermal papillae cells (DP), which control the growth cycle of hair follicles, are responsible for hair growth. The current treatments for hair loss are often ineffective and expensive. They range from invasive surgeries to chemical treatments which don’t work. Recent research on hair loss has shown that the hair follicles do not disappear when balding occurs. They simply shrink. The idea is that if DP cells can be replenished in those areas, the follicles may recover.
Ke Cheng, Randall B. Terry, Jr. Professor of Regenerative Medicine in NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, and professor at the NC State/UNC Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering. They cultured DP cell both in a 2D and 3D spheroid environments. A spheroid, a three-dimensional cell structure, recreates the natural microenvironment of a cellular.
Source:
https://news.ncsu.edu/2020/07/microrna-for-hair-regrowth/
