Aptamer-Based Targeted Therapy for Wound Healing and Hair Growth Promotion

Aptamers, which are single-stranded oligonucleotides, have been identified as promising agents for regenerative medicine due to their stability, low immunogenicity, and high tissue penetrability. This study focused on DNA aptamers targeting the OR2AT4 receptor, which is involved in wound healing and hair growth. Using preclinical models, including a skin-humanized mouse model and human hair follicle organ culture, the study found that OR2AT4 aptamers significantly enhanced wound healing by increasing re-epithelialization and collagen production. Additionally, these aptamers prolonged the anagen phase of the hair cycle and increased hair shaft elongation. These results suggest that aptamer-based therapies could be a novel solution for treating chronic wounds and androgenetic alopecia, with a patent filed for this work.