Proteins from Stressed Mesenchymal Stem Cells Can Repair Hair Follicles and Promote Hair Regeneration

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most prevalent type of hair loss in the clinic. Corticosteroids are the most widely used agents for hair loss treatment. However, the long-term use of hormonal drugs is associated with various side effects. Therefore, new treatment methods are urgently needed. In this study, we found that proteins derived from stressed mesenchymal stem cells (PDSSCs) can be utilized to treat AGA in a mouse model. Secretion from chemically stimulated mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can reverse hair loss through immune regulation and anti-inflammatory functions. Herein, the root extract of Atalantia monophylla is utilized to stimulate MSCs to produce stress proteins with immunomodulatory function, and thus, proteins derived from stressed MSCs (PDSSCs) can be obtained from stimulated MSCs. We found that PDSSCs successfully boosted hair growth and activated hair follicle (HF) stem cells, thereby inducing hair regeneration in an AGA mouse model. PDSSCs achieved this effect through the Wnt pathway and the TGF-β pathway. Our research is the first to illustrate that stressed-MSC therapy can improve hair regeneration in AGA mice. Overall, this study demonstrated that utilizing PDSSCs from MSCs stimulated with the root extract of Atalantia monophylla to treat AGA is a promising strategy.