FDA-Approved Alopecia Treatment Mechanism Proven: "Prevents Mitochondrial Damage in Hair Follicle Cells"

Professor Lee Young's Team, Department of Dermatology, Chungnam National University Hospital

Professor Lee Young (left) and Dr. Shin Jeong-min from the Department of Dermatology, Chungnam National University Hospital.

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] Korean researchers have elucidated the mechanism of JAK (Janus kinase) inhibitors, which have been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as a treatment for alopecia areata.

The team led by Professor Lee Young from the Department of Dermatology at Chungnam National University Hospital (Dr. Shin Jeong-min) announced on the 29th that they demonstrated the mechanism by which JAK inhibitors prevent mitochondrial damage in hair follicle cells and regulate immune responses in alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata is an autoimmune disease that selectively attacks hair, and its cause and treatment mechanisms have not yet been clearly identified. Although the JAK inhibitor (Baricitinib), which suppresses JAK-STAT signaling, was approved by the FDA in June as a treatment for alopecia areata, the mechanism of JAK inhibitors in the mitochondria of hair cells was previously unknown.

To clarify the mechanism of Baricitinib in alopecia areata, Professor Lee’s team conducted experiments using dermal papilla cells of hair follicles. As a result, they confirmed that Baricitinib regulates immune responses in alopecia areata by inhibiting mitochondrial DNA damage, reactive oxygen species generation, and inflammasome activation.

Professor Lee stated, “Through this study, we confirmed a new mechanism by which JAK inhibitors affect hair growth in alopecia areata,” adding, “In the future, immune regulation through inhibition of mitochondrial damage and inflammasomes will play an important role in the development of alopecia areata treatments.”

This study was published in the latest issue of the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, a leading journal in basic dermatological research (impact factor: 8.384).

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