• Genetic engineering of human follicular stem cells using bacterial plasmids containing Wnt10b and β-catenin genes for hair follicle regeneration in the treatment of androgenetic alopecia
  • Maryam Rahmani,1,* Shaghayegh Mehdizadeh,2
    1. Department of Biology, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
    2. Department of Biology, East Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran


  • Introduction: Androgenetic alopecia is the most common type of progressive hair loss caused by decreased hair follicle activity under the influence of dihydrotestosterone (DHT). On the other hand, human follicular stem cells (HFSCs) have the potential to regenerate follicles, but they require molecular stimulation. The Wnt/β-catenin pathway, as the main driver of growth and initiation of the anagen phase, plays a key role in this process. This study aims to specifically engineer human follicular stem cells using bacterial plasmid vectors containing the Wnt10b and β-catenin genes and evaluate their effect on hair follicle growth and differentiation. The results could lead to the development of advanced cell therapies for alopecia.
  • Methods: 1. Gene construction and cloning 2. Stem cell culture and transfection 3. Molecular and functional analysis
  • Results: Increased expression of Wnt10b and β-catenin genes will increase proliferation, increase expression of follicular markers, and stimulate the anagen phase. This approach could be a precursor to the development of specific cell therapy drugs for hair loss.
  • Conclusion: Common treatments for androgenetic alopecia, such as minoxidil and finasteride, generally have partial and short-term responses, and their side effects cannot be ignored. Recent studies have shown that engineering follicular stem cells by stimulating the Wnt/β-catenin pathway can effectively enhance their proliferation and differentiation. The use of recombinant bacterial plasmids has also gained importance in biotechnology research as a safe and cost-effective tool for gene transfer. With this approach, this research attempts to enhance the regenerative capacity of follicular stem cells by using microbial biotechnology tools.
  • Keywords: Stem cell,, Wnt10b and β-catenin genes , androgenetic alopecia