Androgen modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling in androgenetic alopecia

Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is a dermatological disorder of scalp hair loss characterized by a progressive miniaturization of hair follicles with shortened anagen phase leading to a decreased number of hairs on the scalp. It is a complex polygenic trait prevailing around two-thirds of the male population. Elevated expressions of 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone and androgen receptor are the causal factors for AGA. This review describes recent studies on the role of androgens and androgen receptor (AR) transactivation activity in modulating the Wnt/beta-catenin signaling in the dermal papilla cells of the balding scalp in androgenetic alopecia. Here, we analyse the androgen-induced dermal papilla secreted factors on stimulating catagen entry in hair follicles and the molecular cross-talk between AR and Wnt/beta-catenin signaling with a brief mention on alternative treatment strategy targeting Wnt/beta-catenin signaling for promoting hair growth.