572 Olfactory Receptor 2A4/7 Activation by the Fragrance, Cyclohexyl Salicylate, Promotes Human Hair Follicle Growth and Stem Cell Progeny Expansion

Abstract

Topically applicable non-drug hair growth-promoting agents are of major medical and consumer interest. We have shown that stimulation of the olfactory receptor (OR), OR2AT4, by the odorant Sandalore®, prolongs human hair growth ex vivo, and slows hair loss in telogen effluvium patients in vivo. Here, we asked whether another OR, i.e. OR2A4/7, which promotes epidermal keratinocyte proliferation, unfolds similar properties. By in situ hybridization, ubiquitous OR2A4/7 mRNA expression was detected in the HF epithelium (outer root sheath [ORS], hair matrix [HM]) of freshly embedded scalp skin from healthy donors, whereas OR2A4/7 protein expression (IF) was almost restricted to the infundibulum.