Chen W, Yang CC, Tsai RY, Liao CY, Yen YT, Hung CL, Chen KF, Tsai SJ, Zouboulis CC. Expression of sex-determining genes in the scalp of men with androgenetic alopecia.
Dermatology 2007;
214:199-204. [PMID:
17377380 DOI:
10.1159/000099583]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2006] [Accepted: 08/18/2006] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The regulation of the cutaneous steroidogenesis in patients with androgenetic alopecia remains largely unclear.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to quantify the expression of the sex-determining genes in different scalp areas.
METHODS
Paired scalp specimens from frontal and occipital scalp areas of 10 patients were examined by real-time RT-PCR for mRNA expression and of 40 patients (mean age 34.9 years, range 22-58) by Western blotting for protein analysis.
RESULTS
The SOX-9 mRNA was most abundant in the skin, while SF-1 mRNA was sparsely detected. The protein levels of DAX-1, SRY and WT-1 were significantly higher in the bald scalp (p=0.003, 0.004 and 0.03, respectively). Only the SRY expression showed a positive correlation with the baldness severity in Norwood-Hamilton classification (p=0.024). There was no association between patient's age and the protein levels. Immunostaining of SOX-9 was detected in the outer root sheath keratinocytes of hair follicles but not in the dermal papillae.
CONCLUSION
Further study on a larger population, including normal subjects and female patients, is needed to confirm the pathogenic role of sex-determining genes in androgenetic alopecia.
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