title: Caspase-1 level is higher in the scalp in androgenetic alopecia.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Inflammasomes that activate caspase-1 govern the innate immune inflammatory response. Whether hair loss associated with androgenetic alopecia (AGA) involves caspase-1 activation is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemical staining for caspase-1 was performed on scalp tissue sections, and protein lysates were analyzed from individuals with AGA (no treatment), and individuals with AGA taking finasteride with apparent hair growth, individuals with AGA taking finasteride without noted hair growth, and normal controls. In vitro studies of human keratinocytes were conducted to establish effects of finasteride, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and testosterone on caspase-1 levels using immunoblot analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Caspase-1 is expressed in normal human adult epidermal keratinocytes. Caspase-1 expression is greater in men with AGA. In contrast, in men taking finasteride, caspase-1 levels were lower and were similar to those in normal controls. In vitro studies showed that keratinocytes treated with finasteride in combination with testosterone or DHT resulted in a significant decrease in caspase-1 expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In vivo and in vitro finasteride treatment resulted in lower caspase-1 expression, supporting the idea that androgens influence innate immunity involved in the hair cycle in AGA. These findings may provide a basis for development of novel treatments for inflammatory skin and hair diseases.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurological Surgery, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida, USA.
authors.forename: Juan Pablo
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: de Rivero Vaccari
authors.forename: Marty E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Sawaya
authors.forename: Frank
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: Bernard P
authors.initials: BP
authors.lastname: Nusbaum
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Bauman
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Bramlett
authors.forename: W Dalton
authors.initials: WD
authors.lastname: Dietrich
authors.forename: Robert W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Keane
mesh_terms: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000505:Alopecia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D000728:Androgens / Q000494:pharmacology; D020170:Caspase 1 / Q000187:drug effects / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone / Q000494:pharmacology; D018120:Finasteride / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006197:Hair / Q000187:drug effects / Q000254:growth & development / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007113:Immunity, Innate; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D058847:Inflammasomes; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012535:Scalp / Q000378:metabolism*; D013739:Testosterone / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D058891:5-alpha Reductase Inhibitors; D000728:Androgens; D058847:Inflammasomes; D013196:Dihydrotestosterone; D013739:Testosterone; D018120:Finasteride; D020170:Caspase 1