Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 7, 2026
10:09
Rapid Genetic Analysis of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Signaling During Hair Regeneration
Published on: February 28, 2013
17.8K
Citrus limon-Derived Extracellular Vesicles Promote Hair Growth.
Fatemeh Raoufimanesh1, Seyed Mohammad Atyabi2, Marjan Mohamadali2
1Department of Biology, SRC, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.
Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology
|May 6, 2026
Summary
Citrus limon-derived exosomes (EXO-CLs) show potential for hair growth. These nanoparticles promote hair follicle regeneration and increase hair regrowth in vivo, offering a novel therapeutic approach.
Area of Science:
- Biotechnology
- Dermatology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Exosomes (EXOs) are increasingly recognized for their role in intercellular communication and regenerative potential.
- Hair follicle regeneration is a key area of research for treating hair loss disorders.
- Citrus limon-derived exosomes (EXO-CLs) have not been extensively studied for their effects on hair growth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of Citrus limon-derived exosomes (EXO-CLs) in promoting hair growth and follicle regeneration.
- To characterize the physical and surface properties of EXO-CLs.
- To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo effects of EXO-CLs on skin fibroblasts and hair follicles.
Main Methods:
- Exosomes were isolated from Citrus limon using a filtration technique.
- Exosome characterization involved NanoSight Dynamic Light Scattering, Scanning Electron Microscopy, and flow cytometry for surface marker analysis (CD9, CD63, CD81).
- In vitro cytotoxicity was assessed using the MTT assay on human skin fibroblasts. In vivo studies evaluated dermal thickness, hair follicle count, collagen percentage, and gene expression (Wnt-1, β-Catenin, Lef1, Vegf, Tgf-β1, Collagen I).
Main Results:
- Characterization confirmed EXO-CLs as 147 nm spherical particles expressing CD9, CD63, and CD81.
- EXO-CLs significantly increased human skin fibroblast viability and promoted hair follicle regeneration in vivo, evidenced by increased dermal thickness and collagen percentage.
- Key genes involved in hair follicle regeneration and growth (Wnt-1, β-Catenin, Lef1, Vegf, Tgf-β1, Collagen I) showed significantly increased expression in the EXO-CLs treated group.
Conclusions:
- Citrus limon-derived exosomes (EXO-CLs) possess properties conducive to promoting hair follicle regeneration.
- EXO-CLs demonstrate significant potential for enhancing hair regrowth through in vivo mechanisms.
- These findings suggest EXO-CLs as a promising therapeutic agent for hair loss conditions.
Related Concept Videos
01:06Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
3.0K
A hair follicle or HF is a small part of the skin that produces the hair shaft. Paul Gerson Unna was the first to observe a bulge in the human hair follicle's outer root sheath (ORS). The bulge is present between the sebaceous gland and the arrector pili muscle and is the niche for hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). The bulge is also a niche for melanocyte stem cells, and their loss results in graying of hair. The HFSCs express Sox9 and Lhx2, which help them maintain stemness and prevent...
3.0K
01:20Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
2.8K
Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
2.8K
01:16Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles
5.2K
Hair and hair follicles are integral components of the integumentary system. Hair is a filamentous structure composed mainly of a protein called keratin. It is found on the surface of the skin throughout the body, except for areas such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
5.2K
01:12Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
2.4K
The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular...
2.4K
01:19Clinical Applications of Epidermal Stem Cells
2.4K
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...
2.4K
01:36Overview of Exosomes
2.8K
Exosomes are stable, lipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles capable of crossing biological barriers. They can carry a wide range of molecules required for intercellular communication. Once exosomes are released from the cell where they originated, they enter a recipient cell through various pathways such as fusion, receptor-mediated endocytosis, macropinocytosis, and phagocytosis.
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
Stahl et al. discovered exosomes in 1983, but the exosomes were initially considered waste products released from the...
2.8K