Role of Hormones in Pilosebaceous Unit Development
Abstract
Androgens are required for sexual hair and sebaceous gland development. However, pilosebaceous unit (PSU) growth and differentiation require the interaction of androgen with numerous other biological factors. The pattern of PSU responsiveness to androgen is determined in the embryo. Hair follicle growth involves close reciprocal epithelial-stromal interactions that recapitulate ontogeny; these interactions are necessary for optimal hair growth in culture. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) and retinoids have recently been found to specifically affect sebaceous cell growth and differentiation. Many other hormones such as GH, insulin-like growth factors, insulin, glucocorticoids, estrogen, and thyroid hormone play important roles in PSU growth and development. The biological and endocrinological basis of PSU development and the hormonal treatment of the PSU disorders hirsutism, acne vulgaris, and pattern alopecia are reviewed. Improved understanding of the multiplicity of factors involved in normal PSU growth and differentiation will be necessary to provide optimal treatment approaches for these disorders.
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In skin, androgens act through androgen receptors to trigger signaling cascades.
“In skin, androgens mediate their effects through interaction with the androgen receptors (AR) triggering cascades of networks [91, 106, 187–189].”
From Steroidogenesis in the skin: Implications for local immune functions (2013) · cites this paper as [106]
Estrogens suppress lipogenesis and sebaceous gland size in both sexes directly and indirectly by affecting pituitary gonadotropins.
“Estrogens suppress lipogenesis and the size of sebaceous glands in both sexes directly and indirectly, through affecting the gonadotropins released from the pituitary [106].”
From Steroidogenesis in the skin: Implications for local immune functions (2013) · cites this paper as [106]
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- Authors
- Deplewski, D., & Rosenfield, R. L.
- Affiliations
- University of Chicago (US)
- Venue
- Endocrine Reviews
- Publisher
- The Endocrine Society
- Published
- 2000-08-01
- Volume
- 21
- Issue
- 4
- Pages
- 363-392
- ISSN
- 0163-769X (ISSN-L)
- 1945-7189
- OpenAlex
- W2014090584
- Cited by
- 443
- References
- 10
- Citations by year
- 2026: 9 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 14 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 26 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 23 · 2013: 20 · 2012: 21
- FWCI
- 5.53
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Endocrine Reviews (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Urology › Hair Growth and Disorders
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Acne and Rosacea Treatments and Effects
- Health Sciences › Medicine › Reproductive Medicine › Sperm and Testicular Function
- Keywords
- pilosebaceous unit, androgens, hair follicle development, stromal-epithelial interactions, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors, retinoids, growth hormone, insulin-like growth factor, insulin, glucocorticoids, estrogen, thyroid hormones, hirsutism, acne, hormone therapy
- MeSH terms
- Acne Vulgaris, Alopecia, Androgens, Female, Hirsutism, Hormones, Humans, Male, Microscopy, Electron, Organ Culture Techniques, Retinoids, Sebaceous Glands, Transcription Factors, Receptors, Cytoplasmic and Nuclear, Hair Follicle
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