Extremely Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Fields Increase the Expression of Anagen-Related Molecules in Human Dermal Papilla Cells via GSK-3β/ERK/Akt Signaling Pathway.

Ga-Eun Ki,Yu-Mi Kim,Yun-Kyong Choi,Han-Moi Lim,Young-Kwon Seo,Eun-Cheol Lee

doi:10.3390/ijms21030784

Abstract

Despite advances in medical treatments, the proportion of the population suffering from alopecia is increasing, thereby creating a need for new treatments to control hair loss and prevent balding. Human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (hDPCs), a type of specialized fibroblast in the hair bulb, play an essential role in controlling hair growth and in conditions like androgenic alopecia. This study aimed to evaluate the intensity-dependent effect of extremely low-frequency electromagnetic fields (ELF-EMFs) on the expression of anagen-related molecules in hDPCs in vitro. We examined the effect of ELF-EMF on hDPCs to determine whether activation of the GSK-3β/ERK/Akt signaling pathway improved hDPC activation and proliferation; hDPCs were exposed to ELF-EMFs at a frequency of 70 Hz and at intensities ranging from 5 to 100 G, over four days. Various PEMF intensities significantly increased the expression of anagen-related molecules, including collagen IV, laminin, ALP, and versican. In particular, an intensity of 10 G is most potent for promoting the proliferation of hDPC and expression of anagen-related molecules. Moreover, 10 G ELF-EMF significantly increased β-catenin and Wnt3α expression and GSK-3β/ERK/Akt phosphorylation. Our results confirmed that ELF-EMFs enhance hDPC activation and proliferation via the GSK-3β/ERK/Akt signaling pathway, suggesting a potential treatment strategy for alopecia.

Highlights

Hair disorders such as hair loss, androgenic alopecia, or excessive hair growth may impact the social and psychological well-being of an individual [1,2]
Our results showed that treatment of hair follicle dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) with extremely low-frequency electromagnetic field (ELF-EMF) at an intensity of 10 G significantly induced GSK/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)/AKT phosphorylation, which led to hDPCs’ proliferation and Wnt3α/β-catenin activation (Figure 5)
Our results suggest that ELF-EMFs have the potential to stimulate anagen-related molecules in hDPCs, as well as hDPC proliferation via the activation of Wnt3α/β-catenin signaling and GSK-3β/ERK/Akt pathway

Summary

Introduction

Hair disorders such as hair loss (alopecia), androgenic alopecia, or excessive hair growth (hirsutism, hypertrichosis) may impact the social and psychological well-being of an individual [1,2]. Various agents, including herbal and natural extracts [3,4,5], growth factors, cytokines [6,7], placental extract, stem cells [8], conditioned medium, peptides, hormones, lipid nanocarrier, light, physical stimulation [9], androgens and their analogs, stress-serum, and chemotherapeutic agents, have been examined for their hair-growth-modulating effects in hDPCs. alopecia is an exceedingly prevalent condition which affects men and women of all ages. Namely finasteride and minoxidil, have been approved for hair loss treatment by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Newer and better therapeutic measures to prevent hair loss and enhance hair growth are urgently needed

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