Effects of photobiomodulation at various irradiances on normal and dihydrotestosterone-treated human hair dermal papilla cells in vitro

Miao Sun; Hui Jiang; Shangfei Lin; Haokuan Qin; Xiaolei Ding; Yongxian Lai; Shangfeng Liu; Muqing Liu

doi:10.1002/jbio.202300087

Effects of photobiomodulation at various irradiances on normal and dihydrotestosterone-treated human hair dermal papilla cells in vitro

J Biophotonics. 2023 Oct;16(10):e202300087. doi: 10.1002/jbio.202300087. Epub 2023 Jul 14.

Authors

Miao Sun^{1

2}, Hui Jiang^{2

3}, Shangfei Lin^{2

3}, Haokuan Qin^{2

3}, Xiaolei Ding⁴, Yongxian Lai⁵, Shangfeng Liu⁶, Muqing Liu^{1

2

3}

Affiliations

¹ Department of Light Source and Illuminating Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
² Zhongshan Fudan Joint Innovation Center, Zhongshan, Guangdong, China.
³ Institute of Future Lighting, Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
⁴ Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Organ Repair, School of Medicine, Shanghai University, Shanghai, China.
⁵ Department of Dermatologic Surgery, Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China.
⁶ Shanghai Key Laboratory of Craniomaxillofacial Development and Diseases, Shanghai Stomatological Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.

PMID: 37418658
DOI: 10.1002/jbio.202300087

Abstract

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss caused by dihydrotestosterone (DHT) binding to androgen receptors in dermal papilla cells (DPCs). Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a promising treatment for AGA but suffers from inconsistent outcomes and inconsistent effective light parameters. This study investigated the impact of red light at various irradiances on normal and DHT-treated DPCs. Our results suggested that red light at 8 mW/cm² was most effective in promoting DPCs growth. Furthermore, a range of irradiances from 2 to 64 mW/cm² modulated key signaling pathways, including Wnt, FGF, and TGF, in normal and DHT-treated DPCs. Interestingly, 8 mW/cm² had a greater impact on these pathways in DHT-treated DPCs and altered the Shh pathway, suggesting that the effect of PBM varies with the cellular environment. This study highlights specific factors that influence PBM effectiveness and provides insight into the need for personalized PBM treatment approaches.

Keywords: androgenetic alopecia; human dermal papilla cells; light-emitting diode; photobiomodulation.

MeSH terms

Alopecia / metabolism
Dihydrotestosterone* / metabolism
Dihydrotestosterone* / pharmacology
Hair Follicle / metabolism
Hair* / metabolism
Humans
Receptors, Androgen / metabolism

Substances

Dihydrotestosterone
Receptors, Androgen