The effect of various cytokines on hair growth of mouse vibrissae in organ culture.
Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF) is a multifunctional polypeptide which acts as a mitogen, motogen or morphogen depending on the biological context. In this study, we examined the effect of HGF on hair growth using a serum-free organ culture system. Vibrissal hair follicles isolated from newborn mice were cultured at 31 degrees C in 95% O2-5%CO2 for 72 h in the presence of various cytokines or growth factors. DNA, protein synthesis and elongation of the hair shaft in the hair follicles were measured. Among the agents tested, only HGF significantly increased hair follicle length (P < 0.001) and 3H-thymidine (P < 0.001) incorporation. The effect of HGF was dose-dependent, with maximal stimulation obtained at 10 ng/ml. The increase in hair follicle length and thymidine incorporation were specifically inhibited by a neutralizing antibody against HGF. These results indicate that HGF is able to promote hair growth and may have clinical utility in this regard.
Jindo
T
T
Department of Dermatology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
Imai
R
R
Tsuboi
R
R
Takamori
K
K
Ogawa
H
H
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D004247:DNA / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000494:pharmacology; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology; D051379:Mice; D009500:Neutralization Tests; D009924:Organ Culture Techniques; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000494:pharmacology; D014738:Vibrissae / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism
D016207:Cytokines; D006133:Growth Substances; D007375:Interleukin-1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D004247:DNA