Investigation of the Role and Mechanism of Pigment Epithelium-Derived Factor (PEDF) in Androgenetic Alopecia

This study investigates the role of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) in androgenetic alopecia (AGA), revealing that PEDF is upregulated in hair follicles from balding regions compared to non-balding regions. Using in vitro–cultured hair follicles and cells, the research demonstrates that knocking down PEDF expression promotes hair shaft elongation, prolongs the anagen phase, and enhances dermal papilla cell proliferation and viability. These findings suggest that PEDF plays a significant role in hair follicle growth and cycling, making it a potential therapeutic target for AGA treatment.