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Pharmacologic inhibition of JAK-STAT signaling promotes hair growth

Sivan Harel1, Claire A Higgins1, Jane E Cerise1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA.

Science Advances
|November 25, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Topical Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway inhibitors promote hair growth by inducing the anagen phase. This JAK-STAT inhibition strategy offers a novel approach for treating hair loss.

Area of Science:

  • Dermatology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Stem Cell Biology

Background:

  • Hair loss often results from hair follicles failing to enter the growth (anagen) phase.
  • Existing treatments targeting anagen induction pathways have limited success.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the efficacy of Janus kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) pathway inhibitors in promoting hair growth.
  • To explore the role of JAK-STAT signaling in regulating hair follicle stem cell activation.

Main Methods:

  • Topical application of small-molecule JAK-STAT inhibitors on mouse and human skin.
  • Analysis of hair follicle populations, including the hair germ.
  • Assessment of cultured human dermal papilla cell inductivity.

Main Results:

  • Topical JAK-STAT inhibition rapidly induced anagen and subsequent hair growth in mouse and human skin.
  • JAK inhibition was shown to regulate key hair follicle populations.
  • Improved inductivity of human dermal papilla cells was observed under JAK inhibition.

Conclusions:

  • JAK-STAT pathway inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy for promoting hair growth.
  • This pathway plays a critical role in regulating hair follicle stem cell activation and the hair cycle.
Keywords:
GeneticsHairJAK-STATRegenerationStem cells

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