Synthesized ceramide induces growth of dermal papilla cells with potential contribution to hair growth

Background: The ceramide is known to play an important role in the formation of intracellular lipids, and play a crucial role as a barrier for skin and hair cuticle. Recent study has revealed that ceramide has potential effect on hair growth in a mouse model. However, the role of ceramide in human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) known to play an important role in hair growth is not well understood yet. Objective: The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of synthetic ceramides (oleyl and stearyl ceramides) on hair growth using hDPCs. Methods: hDPCs were treated with synthesized ceramides. hDPCs viability was evaluated by MTT assay. The expression of hair growth related factors were investigated by western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction and growth factor array. The expression of β-catenin was confirmed by immunofluorescence. Results: Treatment with ceramides increased the expression of proteins affecting cell proliferation such as Bcl-2, BAX, phosphorylated-ERK and Cyclin D1. Also, ceramides treatment were increased the expression of several growth factors, including epidermal growth factor family, and promote the expression of Wnt/ β-catenin and BMP2/4 signaling. Conclusion: Our data suggest that synthetic ceramides stimulates hair growth by induction proliferation of hDPCs via modulation of Wnt/β -catenin and BMP2/4 signaling.