Dermal papilla cells derived from beard hair follicles secrete more stem cell factor (SCF) in culture than scalp cells or dermal fibroblasts.

As stem cell factor (SCF) and its receptor, c-kit, are involved in hair pigmentation, SCF is probably produced in the skin, possibly by the regulatory follicular dermal papilla. Since androgens often alter the type and color of hair, probably via the dermal papilla, they may regulate its SCF production. SCF produced by beard and non-balding scalp dermal papilla cells in the presence, or absence, of 10nM testosterone was assayed by ELISA. After 24 h, beard cells produced significantly (p = 0.001) more SCF than scalp cells, while beard and scalp fibroblasts secreted significantly (p = 0.04) less SCF. Testosterone in vitro had no effect on SCF secretion. These results support the hypotheses that the dermal papilla is a local source of SCF in hair follicles and that androgens would alter SCF production only at specific points of the hair cycle.