Korean J Dermatol.  2007 Apr;45(4):321-326.

The Analysis of the Expression of TGF-beta in Human Hair Follicles in vivo

• Won CH
• Joo YH
• Lee DH
• An JS
• Kim BJ
• Kwon OS
• Cho KH
• Kim KH
• Eun HC

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Although it is well known that transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) may induce catagen change of hair follicles and inhibit hair growth, it is still unclear which subtype of TGF-beta and its specified receptor might be expressed in human hair follicles of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) patients.
OBJECTIVE
To delineate precise expression of TGF-beta subtype in human hair follicles of androgenetic alopecia patients.
METHODS
Immunohistochemical studies were performed on paraffin sections of human hair follicles by applying type 1, 2, and 3 TGF-beta antibodies and type I and II receptor antibodies. We ascertained the expression of TGF-beta subtype in hair follicles of androgenetic alopecia patients. We also compared the expression pattern of each type of TGF-beta receptor. We evaluated the change of TGF-beta expression of hair follicles in the catagen phase.
RESULTS
TGF-beta1 was well-expressed in the outer area of the inner root sheath (IRS) or dermal connective sheath area. TGF-beta2 was commonly expressed in the inner 1/2 of the outer root sheath (ORS). TGF-beta3 was expressed in the hair cortex, IRS, and cuticle in normal hair follicles obtained from both the vertex and occipital area. On the contrary, in specimens from AGA, the enhanced expression of type 2 TGF-beta or type II receptor was observed in the vertex area (bald) compared to the occipital area (non bald). When the expression patterns of TGF-beta 1, 2, and 3 were compared between anagen and catagen phases, TGF-beta2 and 3 were positively expressed in the epithelial strands and secondary hair germs in the catagen phase. The immunoreactivities of TGF-beta 1 and 2 were intensified in the ORS areas of the catagen phase.
CONCLUSION
The expression of type 1, 2 TGF-beta and type I and II receptors in follicular epithelial cells might be related to catagen induction and development of androgenetic alopecia of human hair in vivo.

Keyword

Androgenetic alopecia; Catagen induction; TGF-beta

MeSH Terms

Alopecia
Antibodies
Epithelial Cells
Hair Follicle*
Hair*
Humans*
Paraffin
Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
Transforming Growth Factor beta*
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Transforming Growth Factor beta2
Transforming Growth Factor beta3
Antibodies
Paraffin
Receptors, Transforming Growth Factor beta
Transforming Growth Factor beta
Transforming Growth Factor beta1
Transforming Growth Factor beta2
Transforming Growth Factor beta3