Dermatológia pre prax 3/2021

Potential use of mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes in the treatment of androgenic alopecia in women

Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes have high immunomodulatory and regenerative potential and represent a new form of cell-free therapy applicable for treating female androgenic alopecia (FAGA). Exosomes can stimulate angiogenesis by producing growth factors that have a paracrine effect (for example VEGF, PDGF). Furthermore, they induce proliferation of dermal papillary cells by activating signaling pathways (MAPK, protein kinase B). Moreover, exosomes can inhibit activation of antigen-presenting cells, suppress the development of type 1 and 17 T-helper cells, and increase the expression of immunosuppressive interleukin 10. Exosomes also contain microRNAs with proangiogenic and anti-inflammatory effects. Therefore, MSC-derived exosomes, administered in the form of mesotherapy, could become a powerful tool to promote hair growth, and to inhibit inflammatory response near the hair follicle region in the early stages of FAGA, possibly preventing terminal fibrotization.

Keywords: female androgenic alopecia, exosomes, mesenchymal stem cells