Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Alopecia Areata: Visual and Molecular Evidence from a Mouse Model

Song Hee Park, Seo Won Song, Yu Jin Lee, Hoon Kang, Jung Eun Kim

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Recent studies have highlighted the potential of Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) as an alternative treatment for Alopecia Areata (AA) due to their immunosuppressive properties. While MSCs have shown promise in cell experiments, their effectiveness in vivo remains uncertain. This study aims to validate local administration of MSC therapy’s efficacy in AA treatment through animal experiments. AA was induced through Interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) administration in mice, and MSC treatment (MSCT)’s effects were assessed visually and through tissue analysis. The MSC-treated group showed more hair regrowth compared to the control (CTL) group. MSCT notably reduced local inflammatory cytokines (JAK1, JAK2, STAT1, STAT3, IFN-γR, IL-1β, IL-16, IL-17α, and IL-18) in AA-induced mice’s skin, but systemic cytokine levels remained unchanged. Furthermore, MSC treatment normalized the expression of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway genes (LEF1 and β-catenin) and growth factors (FGF7 and FGF2), which are crucial for hair cycle regulation. This study lays the groundwork for further exploring MSCs as a potential treatment for AA, but more research is needed to fully understand their therapeutic potential.

Original languageEnglish
Article number9236
JournalInternational Journal of Molecular Sciences
Volume25
Issue number17
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2024

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 by the authors.

Keywords

  • alopecia areata
  • immunosuppressive
  • in vivo
  • local
  • mesenchymal stem cells
  • mouse model
  • systemic
  • treatment

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy in Alopecia Areata: Visual and Molecular Evidence from a Mouse Model'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this