11β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Inhibition Attenuates the Adverse Effects of Glucocorticoids on Dermal Papilla Cells

Role of corticosteroids in skin physiology and therapeutic potential of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor: A review

Skin is a major site of cortisol bioconversion by 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11β-HSD1) enzymes which catalyze intracellular inactive cortisone into physiologically active cortisol. 11β-HSD1 is highly expressed in skin, especially in dermal fibroblasts, epidermal keratinocytes, melanocytes, and hair follicles, and plays important roles in regulating keratinocytes, fibroblast proliferation, and has roles in skin aging. Inhibition of 11β-HSD1 may reverse decreased collagen levels observed in extrinsically and intrinsically aged skin. Inhibitors of 11β-HSD1 may also have the potential to reverse decreased collagen observed in skin atrophy induced by glucocorticoid treatment. This systematic review aimed to summarize the current knowledge of roles for 11β-HSD1 inhibitor in skin physiology and potential for future use in medications. Studies have demonstrated that immediately following experimental insult in an animal model, there is increased expression of 11β-HSD1, and that topical application of an 11β-HSD1 inhibitor increases the rate of healing, increases skin collagen content, increases dermal fibroblasts, and increases dermal thickness. Furthermore, in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, 11β-HSD1 inhibitors reduce wound diameter after injury. Further development of 11β-HSD1 inhibitors appears to be a promising area for treating aging skin, aiding wound healing, and mitigating effects of systemic glucocorticoid use. Both topically and orally administered 11β-HSD1 inhibitors appear to be viable avenues for future research.

Review of Hair Follicle Dermal Papilla cells as in vitro screening model for hair growth

Hair disorders such as hair loss (alopecia) and androgen dependent, excessive hair growth (hirsutism, hypertrichosis) may impact the social and psychological well-being of an individual. Recent advances in understanding the biology of hair have accelerated the research and development of novel therapeutic and cosmetic hair growth agents. Preclinical models aid in dermocosmetic efficacy testing and claim substantiation of hair growth modulators. The in vitro models to investigate hair growth utilize the hair follicle Dermal Papilla cells (DPCs), specialized mesenchymal cells located at the base of hair follicle that play essential roles in hair follicular morphogenesis and postnatal hair growth cycles. In this review, we have compiled and discussed the extensively reported literature citing DPCs as in vitro model to study hair growth promoting and inhibitory effects. A variety of agents such as herbal and natural extracts, growth factors and cytokines, platelet-rich plasma, placental extract, stem cells and conditioned medium, peptides, hormones, lipid-nanocarrier, light, electrical and electromagnetic field stimulation, androgens and their analogs, stress-serum and chemotherapeutic agents etc. have been examined for their hair growth modulating effects in DPCs. Effects on DPCs' activity were determined from untreated (basal) or stress induced levels. Cell proliferation, apoptosis and secretion of growth factors were included as primary end-point markers. Effects on a wide range of biomolecules and mechanistic pathways that play key role in the biology of hair growth were also investigated. This consolidated and comprehensive review summarizes the up-to-date information and understanding regarding DPCs based screening models for hair growth and may be helpful for researchers to select the appropriate assay system and biomarkers. This review highlights the pivotal role of DPCs in the forefront of hair research as screening platforms by providing insights into mechanistic action at cellular level, which may further direct the development of novel hair growth modulators.

Rice bran mineral extract increases the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla through wnt/catenin pathway

The objective of this study is to evaluate of rice bran mineral extract (RBM) increases the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla (DOCs). Four treatment groups were established to evaluate the efficacy of RBM, including a negative control, positive control (ascorbic acid), RBM and ortho-silicic acid (Si(OH)₄) (OSA) group. Three days after the DPCs were administered the various treatments, western blot analysis showed that type I collagen expression was increased 2.5-fold in the OSA group and 4-fold in the RBM group, and ALP expression was increased 1.5-fold in the OSA and RBM group while the expression of fibronectin was increased ~3-fold in the OSA group and 2.5-fold in the RBM group. Also, the expression of Wnt-3α and β-catenin protein was increased in OSA and RBM group compared to control group. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1a was decreased by more than 50% in the OSA and RBM groups compared to the negative control. Analysis of mRNA expression by RT-qPCR showed that type I collagen increased 1.2-fold in the OSA- and RBM-treated DPCs, whereas type IV collagen increased 2.7-fold in the OSA group and 3.5-fold in the RBM group. However, TGF-β2 mRNA decreased about 80% in the OSA and RBM groups, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining of the DPCs for versican protein showed a significant increase in the OSA- and RBM-treated groups compared to the negative control. Thus, RBM have a potential to recover of DPCs activity and decreased inflammatory-related markers. It can be expected that hair loss prevention and hair growth enhancement can be expected when RBM is applied as a cosmetic product.