Protein Profiling of Forehead Epidermal Corneocytes Distinguishes Frontal Fibrosing From Androgenetic Alopecia

March 2023 in “ PLOS ONE ”

Noreen Karim, Paradi Mirmirani, Blythe P Durbin-Johnson, David M Rocke, Michelle Salemi, Brett S Phinney, Robert H. Rice

frontal fibrosing alopecia androgenetic alopecia forehead epidermal corneocytes protein expression non-invasive monitoring FFA AGA

TLDR Protein profiling of forehead skin can help distinguish between frontal fibrosing alopecia and androgenetic alopecia.

The study investigated protein expression in forehead epidermal corneocytes to distinguish between frontal fibrosing alopecia (FFA) and androgenetic alopecia (AGA). Samples from 5 FFA patients, 5 AGA patients, and 12 controls revealed that FFA had 72 proteins significantly different from controls, with most showing lower expression, while AGA had only 3 proteins significantly different. This suggests FFA affects protein expression systemically, beyond the scalp. The findings support non-invasive monitoring of FFA through forehead epidermis protein profiling, indicating a potential for better diagnosis and treatment monitoring.

View this study on journals.plos.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

18 / 18 results

research Clinical Features and Treatment Outcomes of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in Men

1 citations , June 2022 in “International Journal of Dermatology”

FFA in men shows unique features and treatment results vary widely.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia in Men: A Multicenter Study of 39 Patients

5 citations , September 2021 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Most men with Frontal fibrosing alopecia also lose facial hair and the condition may be linked to hormone levels and sunscreen use.

research Familial Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia

2 citations , June 2021 in “Sultan Qaboos University medical journal”

Familial frontal fibrosing alopecia is rare, mostly affects women, and often occurs between sisters or mother-daughter pairs.

Guidelines for Clinical Trials of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Consensus Recommendations from the International FFA Cooperative Group

research Guidelines for Clinical Trials of Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Consensus Recommendations from the International FFA Cooperative Group

14 citations , June 2021 in “British journal of dermatology/British journal of dermatology, Supplement”

Experts agreed on guidelines to improve research on Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia.

research Hormonal Regulation in Male Androgenetic Alopecia: Sex Hormones and Beyond - Evidence from Recent Genetic Studies

15 citations , June 2020 in “Experimental Dermatology”

Hormones and genes affect hair growth and male baldness.

research Age-Related Changes in Hair Shaft Protein Profiling and Genetically Variant Peptides

17 citations , May 2020 in “Forensic Science International Genetics”

Genetically variant peptides are reliable for forensic identification despite age-related changes in hair proteins.

research Human Stratum Corneum Proteomics Reveals Cross-Linking of a Broad Spectrum of Proteins in Cornified Envelopes

44 citations , March 2019 in “Experimental Dermatology”

A wide range of proteins are integrated into the skin's protective layer.

research Genome-Wide Association Study in Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia Identifies Four Susceptibility Loci Including HLA-B*07:02

115 citations , March 2019 in “Nature Communications”

Frontal fibrosing alopecia is linked to four genetic areas, especially the HLA-B*07:02 allele.

research Lichen Planopilaris and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia as Model Epithelial Stem Cell Diseases

80 citations , April 2018 in “Trends in Molecular Medicine”

Lichen Planopilaris and Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia may help us understand hair follicle stem cell disorders and suggest new treatments.

research Alopecia and the Metabolic Syndrome

30 citations , September 2017 in “Clinics in Dermatology”

Men with common hair loss may have a higher risk of heart disease and diabetes, and should be checked for these conditions.

research Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia: Clinical and Prognostic Classification

74 citations , April 2017 in “JEADV. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology/Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology”

Researchers found three patterns of Frontal fibrosing alopecia, with Pattern III having the best prognosis after treatment.

research Meta-Analysis Identifies Novel Risk Loci and Yields Systematic Insights into the Biology of Male-Pattern Baldness

64 citations , March 2017 in “Nature communications”

Researchers found 63 genes linked to male-pattern baldness, which could help in understanding its biology and developing new treatments.

Structural and Biochemical Changes Underlying a Keratoderma-Like Phenotype in Mice Lacking Suprabasal AP1 Transcription Factor Function

research Structural and Biochemical Changes Underlying a Keratoderma-Like Phenotype in Mice Lacking Suprabasal AP1 Transcription Factor Function

17 citations , February 2015 in “Cell Death and Disease”

Inhibiting AP1 in mice skin causes structural changes and weakens the skin barrier.

research Human Hair Shaft Proteomic Profiling: Individual Differences, Site Specificity, And Cuticle Analysis

68 citations , August 2014 in “PeerJ”

Human hair proteins vary by individual, body site, and ethnicity, useful for forensics.

research Alopecia in a Viable Phospholipase C Delta 1 and Phospholipase C Delta 3 Double Mutant

8 citations , June 2012 in “PloS one”

Mutations in Plcd1 and Plcd3 together cause severe hair loss in mice.

research Lonely Hair

63 citations , October 2011 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Isolated long hairs at the original hairline can help diagnose Frontal Fibrosing Alopecia.

research Phospholipase C-δ1 Is an Essential Molecule Downstream of Foxn1, the Gene Responsible for the Nude Mutation, in Normal Hair Development

54 citations , October 2007 in “The FASEB Journal”

Phospholipase C-δ1 is crucial for normal hair development.

research Proteome Analysis of Human Hair Shaft

122 citations , January 2006 in “Molecular & Cellular Proteomics”

Human hair contains many proteins, with some being highly abundant and modified.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 644 results

community Quote from Pelage (PP-405) Spokesperson...

in Research/Science 120 upvotes 3 months ago

Pelage is developing a topical hair follicle stem cell therapy, PP405, for non-scarring alopecias like androgenetic alopecia, with Phase III trials planned and a potential market launch by 2027. The treatment may not require continuous use after initial regrowth.

community 18M Experiencing Hair Loss Since 15: Seeking Alternatives to Minoxidil

in General 290 upvotes 1 month ago

An 18-year-old experiencing balding since age 15 is seeking alternatives to minoxidil for hair regrowth, currently using rosemary oil and a 0.5mm derma roller. They are unsure about the proper use of these treatments.

community Occipitalis Muscle Tension Theory

in Treatment 7 upvotes 1 week ago

Scalp tension from the occipitalis muscle is theorized to contribute to hair loss, but most believe DHT and genetics are the main causes. Treatments like finasteride and minoxidil are considered more effective than addressing scalp tension.

community Fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution

in Research/Science 14 upvotes 1 year ago

A user has been experiencing hair loss for 4 years, with treatments like minoxidil, finasteride, and various supplements proving ineffective. They were diagnosed with fibrosing alopecia in a pattern distribution, a condition that may require a combination of anti-inflammatory and hair growth treatments.

community Concerned About Asymmetrical Frontal Hair Loss and Recent Finasteride Use, Seeking Experiences

in General 155 upvotes 3 weeks ago

The user is experiencing asymmetrical hair loss at the frontal hairline and is concerned about potential conditions like frontal fibrosing alopecia. They have started using finasteride and pumpkin seed oil to address the issue.

community DUPA/Retrograde might not be DHT based...GET A BIOPSY QUICK or permanent Hair Loss!

in Research/Science 40 upvotes 1 year ago

DUPA and retrograde alopecia may not be solely DHT-based, and a biopsy is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment. Treatments mentioned include dutasteride, oral minoxidil, pioglitazone, clobetasol, calcipotriol, ketoconazole, and doxycycline, depending on the specific condition.

Related Research

3 / 3 results

research The Observation of Androgen Receptor Expression in Androgenetic Alopecia Patients

January 2014 in “Medical Innovation of China”

Androgen receptor differences may contribute to hair loss in AGA patients.

research Ambiguous Alopecia in a 36-Year-Old Woman

October 2012

The woman has unexplained hair loss and it's unclear what her condition is or how to treat it.

research Hair Loss in Autoimmune Cutaneous Bullous Disorders

12 citations , May 2011 in “Dermatologic Clinics”

Hair loss in autoimmune blistering skin diseases varies and may regrow with disease control.