Skin support proteins that help hair follicles form and stay healthy
Instructive roles of mesenchymal proteoglycans in hair follicle morphogenesis and maintenance
This work seeks to find out if proteins made by skin support cells help hair follicles grow and keep hair healthier for people with hair thinning or loss.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | State University New York Stony Brook NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stony Brook, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11181650 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers are studying proteins called proteoglycans made by dermal papilla cells to see how they signal to hair follicle cells through receptors called integrins. They will use laboratory models including cultured skin cells and molecular techniques such as CUT&RUN to map these interactions and track changes in cell behavior. The team will alter proteoglycan production and integrin signaling in models to observe effects on hair follicle formation, cycling, and regeneration. The goal is to identify molecular steps that could be targeted to encourage hair regrowth.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People experiencing hair thinning or hair loss who are interested in future therapies targeting hair follicle signaling pathways would be the most relevant candidates for results from this work.
Not a fit: Patients seeking immediate hair restoration or whose hair loss stems from unrelated skin conditions or systemic disease may not see direct benefit from this basic laboratory research in the short term.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could point to new ways to stimulate hair regrowth or improve hair follicle regeneration.
How similar studies have performed: Prior laboratory studies have shown that integrins and extracellular matrix components influence hair cell behavior, but targeting dermal papilla proteoglycans as a driver of follicle regeneration is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Stony Brook, United States
- State University New York Stony Brook — Stony Brook, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Chen, Jiang — State University New York Stony Brook
- Study coordinator: Chen, Jiang
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.