HNG, A Humanin Analogue, Promotes Hair Growth by Inhibiting Anagen-to-Catagen Transition

• Published in: International journal of molecular sciences 2020-06, Vol.21 (12), p.4553
• Main Authors: Kim, Sung Min, Kang, Jung-Il, Yoon, Hoon-Seok, Choi, Youn Kyung, Go, Ji Soo, Oh, Sun Kyung, Ahn, Meejung, Kim, Jeongtae, Koh, Young Sang, Hyun, Jin Won, Yoo, Eun-Sook, Kang, Hee-Kyoung
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: AKT protein; Alopecia; Alzheimer's disease; anagen; Animals; Apoptosis; Baldness; Cell culture; Cell Cycle; Cell division; Cell growth; Cell Proliferation; Cells, Cultured; dermal papilla cells; Dermis - drug effects; Dermis - growth & development; Dermis - metabolism; Elongation; Extracellular signal-regulated kinase; Female; Growth factors; Hair - drug effects; Hair - growth & development; Hair - metabolism; Hair Follicle - drug effects; Hair Follicle - growth & development; Hair Follicle - metabolism; hair growth; Hair loss; Humanin; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - chemistry; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins - pharmacology; Keratinocytes; Kinases; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Organ culture; Proteins; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Skin; Skin Physiological Phenomena; Stat3 protein; Transcription; Vascular endothelial growth factor; VEGF; Vibrissae
• ISSN: 1422-0067; 1661-6596; 1422-0067
• DOI: 10.3390/ijms21124553

The hair follicle goes through repetitive cycles including anagen, catagen, and telogen. The interaction of dermal papilla cells (DPCs) and keratinocytes regulates the hair cycle and hair growth. Humanin was discovered in the surviving brain cells of patients with Alzheimer's disease. HNG, a humanin analogue, activates cell growth, proliferation, and cell cycle progression, and it protects cells from apoptosis. This study was performed to investigate the promoting effect and action mechanisms of HNG on hair growth. HNG significantly increased DPC proliferation. HNG significantly increased hair shaft elongation in vibrissa hair follicle organ culture. In vivo experiment showed that HNG prolonged anagen duration and inhibited hair follicle cell apoptosis, indicating that HNG inhibited the transition from the anagen to catagen phase mice. Furthermore, HNG activated extracellular signal-regulated kinase (Erk)1/2, Akt, and signal transducer and activator of transcription (Stat3) within minutes and up-regulated vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels on DPCs. This means that HNG could induce the anagen phase longer by up-regulating VEGF, which is a Stat3 target gene and one of the anagen maintenance factors. HNG stimulated the anagen phase longer with VEGF up-regulation, and it prevented apoptosis by activating Erk1/2, Akt, and Stat3 signaling.