Exosome-based Therapies for Androgenetic Alopecia: Mechanisms, MicroRNAs, and Clinical Prospects
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Characteristic signs of alopecia are gradual thinning, disruption of structural features, and the hair development cycle (anagen, catagen, telogen) against the background of miniaturization of hair follicles, which leads to baldness and psychological stress in patients. Despite the rapid development and clinical application of synthetic pharmacological, cellular/acellular, and molecular drugs, no effective therapeutic agent against alopecia has yet been developed. Great hopes are pinned on the improvement of therapeutic strategies with the introduction of exosomes into practical application, which contain a wide array of active substances for the targeted stimulation of hair follicle activity (anagen inducers) through the regulation of intracellular signaling cascades, growth factors, and microRNAs. The review discusses in detail the microRNAs and their intracellular targets that control hair follicle morphogenesis. It also focuses on the prospects of using stem cell exosomes from various sources for the treatment of alopecia, providing a clinical rationale for potential benefits and risks.
Source: Gene Expression
Authors: Pavel Ivanov, Natalia Todosenko, Kristina Yurova, Olga Khaziakhmatova, Larisa Litvinova
Institution: Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University
Language: English
Topic: Hair Growth and Disorders
Subfield: Dermatology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4415774297