A novel non-drug SFRP1 antagonist inhibits catagen development in human hair follicles ex vivo.

Wnt signalling is one of the most fundamental molecular pathways for modulating the human hair cycle and is essential for maintaining hair growth1 . We recently identified that the Wnt antagonist, secreted frizzled related protein 1 (SFRP1), prematurely induces catagen in microdissected human scalp hair follicles (HFs) ex vivo1 . SFRP1 is inhibited by the potent hypertrichosis inducing immunosuppressant, cyclosporine A (CsA)2 , and the specific SFRP1 antagonist, WAY-316606, both of which prevent spontaneous catagen development1 .