A protein that protects us from baldness

In recent years we have seen the rapid expansion of hair surgery as an effective way to fight hair loss, alopecia. However, we are still far from finding effective and efficient solutions, and that do not require passing through the operating room.

MCL-1. Now, an international team of researchers has found a protein Linked to hair growth, a “guardian” against hair loss. The discovery opens a new route of research in the field of alopecia and capillary health.

It is the MCL-1 protein, a protein belonging to the BCL-2 protein family. This group of protein performs An important role In cell apoptosis, programmed cell death.

HFSC. The team detected the importance of these proteins in the functioning of the stem cells of the hair follicle or HFSC (HAIR Follicle Stem Cells). These cells regulate hair growth With its activation and inactivation.

A fragile balance. Capillary growth depends on the work of these HFSC cells but also on their ability to start their apoptosis, their self -destruction, at the right time, giving way to new cells that continue their work. However, this is a fragile balance that can be broken when cell stress accelerate this scheduled death.

According to the new work, MCL-1 proteins exercise a role of protectors of this balance. The absence of this unaction that includes the activation of the P53 genea sign of stress that ultimately carries cell death.

In mice. The process was proven in mice. The team “deactivated” MCL-1 in these mice and then removed the animal’s hair in some areas of its skin. Thus observed the appearance of cell stress and activation of the P53 pathway. The result: the hair did not grow again.

The details of the study were published In an article In the magazine Nature Communications.

An upward market. Half -World Laboratories compete in the race for developing treatments that avoid hair loss. It is a career that promises a succulent prize: the hair loss industry already moves millions in surgeries and treatments capable of slow down the rhythm to which we lose hair. In addition, Ozempic’s success reminds us of the great economic potential of pharmacoesthetic.

Today we have potential formulas, which include From the microarn (small RNA particles) even vaccines of messenger RNA (RNM) as those used in the fight against COVID; Going through the “cloning” of hair, a treatment that, although promising, also demands the passage through the operating room.

In Xataka | The industry wants us not to fall hair never again. And it is getting closer to getting it

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