Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 24, 2026
03:22
Mechanical and Controlled PRP Injections in Patients Affected by Androgenetic Alopecia
Published on: January 27, 2018
Scarring alopecia and the PPAR-gamma connection
1Department of Dermatological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|April 17, 2009
Summary
Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is crucial for hair follicle stem cells. Its deficiency in mice mimics lichen planopilaris, suggesting a role in scarring alopecia.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology
- Molecular Biology
- Pathobiology
Background:
- Primary cicatricial alopecia (PCA) pathobiology is poorly understood.
- Lichen planopilaris (LPP) is the most common form of PCA.
- The role of epithelial stem cells in PCA is under investigation.
Discussion:
- Karnik et al. identify peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) as a key factor in LPP pathogenesis.
- PPARgamma is essential for maintaining functional epithelial stem cells in hair follicles.
- Targeted deletion of PPARgamma in murine hair follicles recapitulates LPP-like skin pathology.
Key Insights:
- PPARgamma deficiency in hair follicles leads to scarring alopecia.
- LPP patients exhibit altered gene expression related to lipid metabolism and peroxisome biogenesis.
- This suggests a novel mechanism involving PPARgamma in PCA.
Outlook:
- Revisiting fundamental questions in PCA pathobiology.
- Exploring PPARgamma as a potential therapeutic target for PCA and LPP.
- Investigating lipid metabolism and peroxisome function in hair follicle homeostasis.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
Epidermal stem cells (EpiSCs) are mainly located at the basal layer of the epidermis. These cells repair minor injuries of the skin and replace dead skin cells. However, EpiSCs’ cannot heal severe wounds such as major burns or those from diabetes or hereditary disorders. In such cases, culturing the epidermal stem cells from the patient is possible and has yielded successful treatment options, such as laboratory-grown skin grafts. These grafts are synthesized using a patient’s own EpiSCs...
01:24Healing II: Complications
Complications during healing arise when tissue repair is altered by local or systemic factors. These changes involve abnormal collagen deposition, altered biomechanics, and reduced vascular supply, impairing restoration of normal structure and function.Loss of FunctionScar tissue differs significantly from the original tissue it replaces. In the skin, fibrosis lacks adnexal structures such as hair follicles, sebaceous glands, and sweat glands. Their absence reduces tactile sensitivity, impairs...
01:23Skin Diseases and Disorders
Skin is the first line of defense and encounters a variety of microbes. Some pathogenic strains are often the cause of a broad range of infections of the skin and other body systems. These conditions can affect people of all ages and may have different causes, including genetic factors, infections, autoimmune reactions, environmental factors, and lifestyle choices.
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
Gram-positive Staphylococcus spp. and Streptococcus spp. are responsible for many of the most common skin infections. However, many...
01:16TGF - β Signaling Pathway
The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cell growth, differentiation, adhesion, motility, and development. TGF-β ligands that induce TGF-β signaling are synthesized in their latent form. Several proteases or cell surface receptors such as integrins act upon the latent form, releasing the active ligand. There are three types of mammalian TGF-βs: (TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and TGF-β3) that bind as homodimers or heterodimers to TGF-β receptors. The TGF-β receptors are of three kinds RI, RII, and RIII. The RI...
01:23Cirrhosis I: Introduction
Cirrhosis is a chronic, irreversible liver disease characterized by the widespread replacement of healthy liver tissue with fibrotic scar tissue and the formation of regenerative nodules.Etiology of cirrhosisCirrhosis results from sustained liver injury that triggers progressive fibrosis and structural remodeling. The underlying causes are diverse, encompassing common and less frequent clinical conditions. Regardless of the origin, all causes lead to chronic inflammation, hepatocyte loss, and...
01:22PI3K/mTOR/AKT Signaling Pathway
The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a serine/threonine kinase that regulates growth, proliferation, and cell survival in response to hormones, growth factors, or nutrient availability. This kinase exists in two structurally and functionally distinct forms: mTOR complex 1 (mTORC1) and mTOR complex 2 (mTORC2). The first form (mTORC1) is composed of a rapamycin-sensitive Raptor and proline-rich Akt substrate, PRAS40. In contrast, mTORC2 consists of a rapamycin-insensitive companion...