Dynamic Nestin expression during hair follicle maturation and the normal hair cycle

Minoxidil delivered via a stem cell membrane delivery controlled release system promotes hair growth in C57BL/6J mice

Objective: Umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell membrane-loaded minoxidil (MXD) nanoparticles (STCM-MXD-NPs) were prepared to investigate their effects on hair growth in C57BL/6J mice. Methods: STCM-MXD-NPs were obtained by freeze-thawing and differential centrifugation, and their effects on hair growth were evaluated using C57BL/6J mice. The mRNA and protein expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, respectively. Protein expression levels of marker of proliferation Ki-67 (MKI67) and β-catenin (CTNNB) in skin tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: STCM-MXD-NPs improved MXD solubility. They released the drug slowly, increasing its transdermal properties, accumulation in the skin, and content in the hair bulb tissues with a better efficacy than that of ordinary MXD. Moreover, STCM-MXD-NPs significantly upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of VEGF and IGF-1 and promoted the protein expression of MKI67 and CTNNB in mouse skin tissues, promoting mouse hair growth. Conclusion: Stem cell membrane-loaded MXD nanoparticles with slow-release properties increased MXD accumulation in the skin by improving its transdermal properties, increasing VEGF, IGF-1, MKI67, and CTNNB expression levels and promoting hair growth in C57BL/6J mice.

Design, synthesis, and biological activity of TLR7-based compounds for chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Hair loss is a common dermatosis symptom and side-effect in cancer chemotherapeutics. Imiquimod application at mid and late telogen activated the hair follicle stem cells leading to premature hair cycle entry. Based on quinoline structure, a newly synthesized compound 6b displayed proliferation activity in vitro and in vivo through branch chain replacement and triazole ring cyclization. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are also critical mediators of the immune system, and their activation is linked to various diseases. The present study aimed to expand new agonists within co-crystallization of TLR7 (PDB code: 5GMH); however, biological assays of NF-κB activity and NO-inhibition indicated that five selected compounds were TLR7 antagonists. Molecular docking indicated the binding mode differences: antagonists binding TLR7 in a different direction and interacting with adjacent TLR7 with difficulty in forming dimers.