Thymic Peptides Differentially Modulate Human Hair Follicle Growth

Meier, Natalia; Langan, Dorothee; Hilbig, Heidegard; Bodó, Enikő; Farjo, Nilofer; Farjo, Bessam; Armbruster, Franz Paul; Paus, Ralf

doi:10.1038/jid.2012.2

Cited by 9 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Interestingly, many substances which have been investigated in human HFs ex vivo have turned out to be catagen-inducing, while hair growth-promoting, catagen-inhibitory agents may well represent a minority in this assay. Examples for the latter include IGF-1 (30,31), hepatocyte growth factor (32), L-carnitine L-tartrate (33), thyrotropin-releasing hormone (34), thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) (28), spermidine (35), thymulin (36), caffeine (26,37), selected prostaglandins (38), cyclosporin A (23) as well as 17-ßestradiol and prolactin in female scalp HFs (27,29).…”

Section: Conditions and Limitations Of Hfocmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human hair follicle organ culture: theory, application and perspectives

Langan

Philpott

Kloepper

et al. 2015

Experimental Dermatology

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For almost a quarter of a century, ex vivo studies of human scalp hair follicles (HFs) have permitted major advances in hair research, spanning diverse fields such as chronobiology, endocrinology, immunology, metabolism, mitochondrial biology, neurobiology, pharmacology, pigmentation and stem cell biology. Despite this, a comprehensive methodological guide to serumfree human HF organ culture (HFOC) that facilitates the selection and analysis of standard HF biological parameters and points out both research opportunities and pitfalls to newcomers to the field is still lacking. The current methods review aims to close an important gap in the literature and attempts to promote standardisation of human HFOC. We provide basic information outlining the establishment of HFOC through to detailed descriptions of the analysis of standard read-out parameters alongside practical examples. The guide closes by pointing out how serum-free HFOC can be utilised optimally to obtain previously inaccessible insights into human HF biology and pathology that are of interest to experimental dermatologists, geneticists, developmental biologists and (neuro-) endocrinologists alike and by highlighting novel applications of the model, including gene silencing and gene expression profiling of defined, laser capture-microdissected HF compartments.

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Section: Conditions and Limitations Of Hfocmentioning

confidence: 99%

Human hair follicle organ culture: theory, application and perspectives

Langan

Philpott

Kloepper

et al. 2015

Experimental Dermatology

Self Cite

151

197

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…Melanogenesis was clearly observed with the higher magnification images in several older subjects who developed numerous intermediate hairs that were dark and resembled the color of hair when they were younger (Figures 3 and 4). The work by Meier et al [7] investigated thymulin's role on the anagen phase but this current ZT study identifies further positive cosmetic effects of the test agent by inducing melanogenesis.…”

Section: Melanogenesismentioning

confidence: 90%

“…Early reports of thymus extract stimulating hair growth was in 1986 [5] and 2000 [6]. Conclusive work for thymulin's activity on the hair follicle was recently published by Meier et al [7] where this in vitro study investigated several thymic peptides and showed thymulin could extend anagen. However, the biological activities of both the thymus gland and serum thymulin concentrations are critically dependent on the presence of zinc [8].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

An Analysis of the Safety and Efficacy of Topical Zinc-Thymulin to treat Androgenetic Alopecia

Er¹

2017

Hair Ther Transplant

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Objective: To assess the safety and efficacy of the metallopeptide zinc-thymulin (ZT) for treating androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Previous in vitro studies have described that different thymic peptides can both increase and decrease anagen (thymulin and thymosin beta-4, respectively). Zinc is an essential element and serum zinc deficiency can cause hair loss. Methods: Eighteen consecutive adult subjects were recruited, 17 males and 1 female, age range 35-90 years (mean 55.4, SD 13.3) with a diagnosis of AGA, Norwood classification 2-7, and hair loss duration range of 3-40 years (mean 15.8, SD 9.6). The trial duration for each subject ranged from 4-10 months. The test compound ZT was synthesized by standard Fmoc peptide protocols and administered in water based topical spray to the scalp. Baseline and after treatment images for hair growth were graded by two blinded assessors using two validated scales: 1. numerical visual analog scale (VAS) for global assessment 2. hair growth index (HGI) of images under higher magnification for percentage changes of vellus, intermediate and terminal hair. Results: ZT demonstrated no adverse systemic effects or local side effects of redness or scalp irritation in any subject over a total of 3,300 treatment days. Three subjects who were concurrently using minoxidil (N=2) and minoxidil / finasteride (N=1) did not report any drug interaction with ZT. VAS hair assessment improvement was significant in subjects who completed 6 months of treatment (P=0.045, t-test). HGI assessment showed a significant increase in the number of newly observed intermediate hairs in previous "absent hair" regions (P<0.0001) with an average increase of vellus type (32%) and intermediate type (23%) hairs at 6 months. Melanogenesis was observed in several subjects. Conclusion: Topical applications of ZT demonstrated safety and established efficacy for initiating and maintaining anagen to treat male pattern baldness when applied for>6 months.

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“…Moreover, it improved the fibril architecture and skin elasticity, and induced an overgrowth of hairs (9). In addition, this compound enhanced the angiogenesis and affected fibroblast activity (16).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Curative effect of TFX-Jelfa supplementation on the skin of ovariectomised rats – morphological study

Karpińska

Szpringer

Lutnicki

et al. 2015

Bulletin of the Veterinary Institute in Pulawy

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The aim of this study was to assess the effect of thymus factor X (TFX-Jelfa) treatment in hypoestrogenic female rats for the purpose of decreasing skin impairments. Ovariectomised rats were used as a model. The histopathological analysis of the skin after TFX-Jelfa treatment demonstrated that the epidermis was thicker and more desquamated, without deep wrinkles or hypersecretion in comparison to the skin of animals only castrated and not treated with TFX-Jelfa. Collagen and elastic fibres were arranged more uniformly in the dermis and there were numerous fibroblasts, hair follicles, and small vessels. Ultrastructural analysis showed keratinocytes without degenerative changes and the proliferation of lymphatic and dendritic cells in the skin. The results indicate that thymus extracts can have beneficial effects on skin aging, which is often accompanied by hormonal perturbances.

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Thymic Peptides Differentially Modulate Human Hair Follicle Growth

Cited by 9 publications

References 14 publications

Human hair follicle organ culture: theory, application and perspectives

Human hair follicle organ culture: theory, application and perspectives

An Analysis of the Safety and Efficacy of Topical Zinc-Thymulin to treat Androgenetic Alopecia

Curative effect of TFX-Jelfa supplementation on the skin of ovariectomised rats – morphological study

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