Potential of Colostrum-Derived Exosomes for Promoting Hair Regeneration Through the Transition From Telogen to Anagen Phase

Hyosuk Kim; Yeongji Jang; Eun Hye Kim; Hochung Jang; Haeun Cho; Geonhee Han; Hyun Kyu Song; Sun Hwa Kim; Yoosoo Yang

doi:10.3389/fcell.2022.815205

Potential of Colostrum-Derived Exosomes for Promoting Hair Regeneration Through the Transition From Telogen to Anagen Phase

Front Cell Dev Biol. 2022 Mar 10:10:815205. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2022.815205. eCollection 2022.

Authors

Hyosuk Kim¹, Yeongji Jang^{1

2}, Eun Hye Kim^{1

2}, Hochung Jang^{1

3}, Haeun Cho^{1

4}, Geonhee Han^{1

5}, Hyun Kyu Song², Sun Hwa Kim¹, Yoosoo Yang^{1

3}

Affiliations

¹ Center for Theragnosis, Biomedical Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.
² Department of Life Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
³ Division of Bio-Medical Science and Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology, Seoul, South Korea.
⁴ Department of Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
⁵ KU-KIST Graduate School of Converging Science and Technology, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.

Abstract

Human hair dermal papillary (DP) cells comprising mesenchymal stem cells in hair follicles contribute critically to hair growth and cycle regulation. The transition of hair follicles from telogen to anagen phase is the key to regulating hair growth, which relies heavily on the activation of DP cells. In this paper, we suggested exosomes derived from bovine colostrum (milk exosomes, Milk-exo) as a new effective non-surgical therapy for hair loss. Results showed that Milk-exo promoted the proliferation of hair DP cells and rescued dihydrotestosterone (DHT, androgen hormones)-induced arrest of follicle development. Milk-exo also induced dorsal hair re-growth in mice at the level comparable to minoxidil treatment, without associated adverse effects such as skin rashes. Our data demonstrated that Milk-exo accelerated the hair cycle transition from telogen to anagen phase by activating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. Interestingly, Milk-exo has been found to stably retain its original properties and efficacy for hair regeneration after freeze-drying and resuspension, which is considered critical to use it as a raw material applied in different types of alopecia medicines and treatments. Overall, this study highlights a great potential of an exosome from colostrum as a therapeutic modality for hair loss.

Keywords: colostrum; dermal papilla; exosome; hair growth; lactoferrin.