Synthesized Ceramide Induces Growth of Dermal Papilla Cells with Potential Contribution to Hair Growth.

BACKGROUND

The ceramide is known to play an important role in the formation of intracellular lipids, and play a crucial role as a barrier for skin and hair cuticle. Recent study has revealed that ceramide has potential effect on hair growth in a mouse model. However, the role of ceramide in human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) known to play an important role in hair growth is not well understood yet.

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this study was to investigate the effect of synthetic ceramides (oleyl and stearyl ceramides) on hair growth using hDPCs.

METHODS

hDPCs were treated with synthesized ceramides. hDPCs viability was evaluated by MTT assay. The expression of hair growth related factors were investigated by western blot, real-time polymerase chain reaction and growth factor array. The expression of β-catenin was confirmed by immunofluorescence.

RESULTS

Treatment with ceramides increased the expression of proteins affecting cell proliferation such as Bcl-2, BAX, phosphorylated-ERK and Cyclin D1. Also, ceramides treatment were increased the expression of several growth factors, including epidermal growth factor family, and promote the expression of Wnt/β-catenin and BMP2/4 signaling.

CONCLUSION

Our data suggest that synthetic ceramides stimulates hair growth by induction proliferation of hDPCs via modulation of Wnt/β-catenin and BMP2/4 signaling.