Effect of androgens on the growth of cultured human dermal papilla cells derived from beard and scalp hair follicles.

Androgens stimulate hair growth in some areas, e.g., beard, but may cause regression and baldness on the scalp. The mesenchyme-derived dermal papilla is believed to regulate many aspects of hair growth. It is probable that androgens exert their effect on hair growth via the dermal papilla. In this study the effect of androgens on the growth of cultured dermal papilla cells from beard and non-balding scalp was assessed. Dermal papilla cells from beard hair follicles and non-balding scalp were cultured in vitro in the presence and absence of different concentrations of testosterone or the synthetic, non-metabolizable androgen, mibolerone. Cell growth was reflected by the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. The presence of either androgen did not significantly alter DNA synthesis at any of the concentrations examined in either type of cell line. These results do not mean that dermal papilla cells do not respond to androgens in vitro, but that the measurement of cell growth is an inappropriate method of assessment. Androgens may well stimulate the synthesis of specific proteins that could influence the hair follicle.