Hair follicles are typically considered to grow half an inch every 30 days to their length limit, though follicles may easily be damaged by external or physiological factors within the organism. Researchers study the PTD-DBN peptide extensively in the context of androgenetic Alopecia, and the loss and damage of follicles. To learn more about the potential properties of peptide PTD DBM, continue reading.
Alopecia
Alopecia, or hair follicle loss, may affect any area of the organism. There could be a lot of reasons for it, such as:
- A shift in the hormones that regulate hair thickness and development
- Passed genetically
- It may develop naturally over time
- Exposure to external stressors such as environment for an extended period.
Alopecia may be short-lived or long-lasting. Thinner, less elastic hair that grows slower than normal is a sign of Alopecia.
Organisms often experience a certain amount of hair loss daily, but it often goes unrecognized since new hair develops in tandem with the ones that fall out. Follicle growth may begin to thin early on, and hereditary hair loss is genetic.
From a scientific standpoint, it seems that hair loss is triggered by CXXC5, which, as a regulator of the Wnt/β-catenin nerve tract, is linked to hair regeneration and wound healing. By binding to the Dvl protein, CXXC5 inhibits hair follicle growth and regeneration. Scientists developed a novel biocompatible material, PTD-DBM, to block CXXC5 from interacting with the Dishevelled protein and halting hair regeneration.
Studies suggest that the PTD-DBM peptide may negatively regulate this mechanism. Prompting hair regrowth and wound-induced hair follicle neogenesis, the competing peptide has been hypothesized to interrupt the connection between CXXC5 and the Dishevelled protein, activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Bald mice were subjected to PTD-DBM for 28 days on their exposed skin as part of the experiment. As suggested by the findings, it seemed to have stimulated the growth of new hair follicles.
PTD-DBM Peptide: Mechanism of Action
Product Transduction Domain-infused Dishevelled Binding Motif is abbreviated as PTD-DBM. This peptide has been theorized to help the hair follicles regenerate and become more elastic, promoting hair regeneration. Research indicates that by inhibiting the steady fall in hair volume, PTD-DBM may block the organism’s enzymes and hormones from shrinking the hair follicles. This is believed to restore the follicles at the stem cell level, one step at a time. Researchers speculate that an additional property is that it may promote the development of new hair follicles.
Several scientists think Wnt signaling pathways inside cells are responsible for hair follicle formation and regeneration. They are protein-based and transmit vital signals for growth and important cellular processes throughout the organism.
There has been a ceaseless investigation into potential approaches for androgenetic Alopecia, as it is the most common cause of hair loss. The most promising research in PTD-DBM, has suggested it may have practical impact in animal studies. The thinning of hair follicles is the hallmark of androgenetic Alopecia. When exposed to the organism alone or in conjunction with local valproic acid, PTD-DBM has been speculated to block the growth of the chemical pathway that causes hair loss. Investigations purport that newer, healthier hair follicles form in the first six to twelve weeks after exposure.
PTD-DBM Peptide Potential
PTD-DBM has been hypothesized to have multiple properties, some of which may be:
- Encouraging new hair growth
- Enhancing hair follicle maturation
- Stopping hair follicles from shrinking too small to prevent hair loss
- Healing of wounds
Kang-Yeol Choi, a researcher, and a team of scientists collaborated to create the approach. Protein CXXC5, which the scientists identified, inhibited Wnt signal transduction pathways. These pathways are located in a cell involved in adult animal hair regeneration and follicle re-formation. As an approach to hair thinning, the researchers developed a biocompatible material called PTD-DBM. Investigations purported that the mechanism that causes hair loss appeared adversely impacted, resulting in positive impacts. Scientists continued to study PTD-DBM after it suggested promising impacts on hair formation and renewal. The ultimate goal was to develop an approach that might promote hair growth.
Valproic Acid Research
Valproic acid is a compound frequently researched in the context of bipolar illness, or seizures. PTD-DBM’s potential is also a crucial component. Scientists have speculated that Valproic acid may start the wound-healing Wnt signaling pathway, which is activated by valproic acid. Findings imply that PTD-DBM may stop CXXC5 from interacting with disheveled proteins and disrupting signaling pathways in animal models.
Feature image by Sinousxl on Pixabay
References
[i] Ryu YC, Park J, Kim YR, Choi S, Kim GU, Kim E, Hwang Y, Kim H, Han G, Lee SH, Choi KY. CXXC5 Mediates DHT-Induced Androgenetic Alopecia via PGD2. Cells. 2023 Feb 9;12(4):555. doi: 10.3390/cells12040555. PMID: 36831222; PMCID: PMC9954685.
[ii] Lee SH, An S, Ryu YC, Seo SH, Park S, Lee MJ, Cho SW, Choi KY. Adhesive Hydrogel Patch-Mediated Combination Drug Therapy Induces Regenerative Wound Healing through Reconstruction of Regenerative Microenvironment. Adv Healthc Mater. 2023 Jul;12(18):e2203094. doi: 10.1002/adhm.202203094. Epub 2023 Mar 10. PMID: 36854308.
[iii] Liu Q, Ma Y, Wang J, Zhu X, Yang Y, Mei Y. Demineralized bone matrix used for direct pulp capping in rats. PLoS One. 2017 Mar 2;12(3):e0172693. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172693. PMID: 28253279; PMCID: PMC5333824.
[iv] Lee SH, Kim MY, Kim HY, Lee YM, Kim H, Nam KA, Roh MR, Min do S, Chung KY, Choi KY. The Dishevelled-binding protein CXXC5 negatively regulates cutaneous wound healing. J Exp Med. 2015 Jun 29;212(7):1061-80. doi: 10.1084/jem.20141601. Epub 2015 Jun 8. PMID: 26056233; PMCID: PMC4493411.
[v] Hyun-Yi Kim, Sehee Choi, Ji-Hye Yoon, Hwan Jung Lim, Hyuk Lee, Jiwon Choi, Eun Ji Ro, Jung-Nyoung Heo, Weontae Lee, Kyoung Tai No, Kang-Yell Choi, Small molecule inhibitors of the Dishevelled-CXXC5 interaction are new drug candidates for bone anabolic osteoporosis therapy, EMBO Mol Med (2016)8:375-387. https://doi.org/10.15252/emmm.201505714
[vi]Kim D, Garza LA. The Negative Regulator CXXC5: Making WNT Look a Little Less Dishevelled. J Invest Dermatol. 2017 Nov;137(11):2248-2250. doi: 10.1016/j.jid.2017.07.826. Epub 2017 Sep 27. PMID: 28967390; PMCID: PMC6399733.
[vii] Zhang, X., et al. (2016). Promotion of hair follicle growth and inhibition of apoptosis in cultured human hair follicles by PTD-DBM. Journal of Investigative Dermatology, 136(7), 1355-1363.
[viii] Ryu YC, Lee DH, Shim J, Park J, Kim YR, Choi S, Bak SS, Sung YK, Lee SH, Choi KY. KY19382, a novel activator of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, promotes hair regrowth and hair follicle neogenesis. Br J Pharmacol. 2021 Jun;178(12):2533-2546. doi: 10.1111/bph.15438. Epub 2021 May 5. PMID: 33751552; PMCID: PMC8251890.
