Targeting Olfactory Receptor OR2AT4: An Innovative Aptamer-Based Treatment for Hair Growth Promotion
June 2025
in “
Molecular Therapy — Nucleic Acids
”
TLDR A new treatment using a DNA aptamer can promote hair growth by targeting a specific receptor.
The study investigates the use of a DNA aptamer, Ap.OR2AT4.17, to target the olfactory receptor OR2AT4 for promoting hair growth. Conducted on human hair follicles from 5 healthy male subjects, the research demonstrated that Ap.OR2AT4.17 effectively prolonged the anagen phase, increased hair shaft elongation, and enhanced the expression of antimicrobial peptides. The aptamer specifically binds to OR2AT4, leading to increased proliferation of hair matrix keratinocytes and upregulation of growth factors. These findings suggest that Ap.OR2AT4.17 could be a promising targeted therapy for hair loss disorders, with potential applications in regenerative and dermatological medicine.
