A Skin-hair Organoid-based Model
Efficacy Evaluation Model for Androgenic Alopecia using Hair Organoids
A hair-bearing organoid model derived from embryonic stem (ES) cells for evaluating therapies against androgenic alopecia (AGA). This platform overcomes limitations of conventional in vitro models, providing a robust system for testing therapeutic and cosmetic interventions for hair loss.
Challenges
Limited treatment options
Lack of suitable disease models
Gap between cellular and clinical research
Ethical and practical barriers
Hair Organoids for Androgenic Alopecia Research: Beyond Conventional Models
The researchers developed a human embryonic stem cell (hESCs; WA25, Wicell)-derived 3D hair-bearing skin organoid model that can successfully recapitulate androgenic alopecia-like conditions through long-term DHT (dihydrotestosterone) treatment. This organoid system bridges the gap by:
Human-Relevant 3D Hair Follicle System
Developed a hair-bearing scalp organoid derived from stem cells that mimics the structural and functional characteristics of human hair follicles and scalp tissue.
Multi-Level Efficacy Validation
The organoids enable long-term evaluation of anti-hair loss agents. Both FDA-approved Minoxidil and the Korean FDA-certified ingredient SOYACT demonstrated protective effects by preserving hair follicle number, maintaining pigmented hair shafts, and restoring key biomarkers (SOX2, PCNA, COL17, and KRT15).
AGA Disease Modeling with DHT
Translational Platform for Hair Research
Provides a long-term, physiologically relevant platform that bridges conventional cell assays and clinical studies, supporting therapeutic screening, mechanism studies, and cosmetic efficacy evaluation.
Discuss Your Hair Research
Related Solutions
Workflow
Step 1 – Organoid Generation
Differentiate human embryonic stem cells into 3D skin/scalp organoids with hair follicles through stepwise culture and growth factor induction.
Step 2 – Hair Follicle Maturation
Culture organoids for >100 days until mature, pigmented hair shafts form.
Step 3 – Induction of Hair Loss
Treat organoids with DHT to induce androgenic alopecia-like follicular regression.
Step 4 – Compound Treatment
Administer Minoxidil or SOYACT to evaluate anti-hair loss efficacy.
Step 5 – Multi-Level Evaluation
Assess efficacy using:- Hair follicle counts and morphology
- Hair shaft growth
- Cell proliferation assays
- Growth factor analysis (VEGF, HGF)
- Immunofluorescence biomarkers (SOX2, PCNA, COL17, KRT15)
Result
Successful Generation of Hair-Bearing Skin Organoids
The researchers successfully cultured skin organoids from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs; WA25, Wicell) that developed hair follicles. Hair germs appeared at DIV 60, followed by proliferation at DIV 80. By DIV 100–150, mature pigmented hair shafts were clearly visible, confirming the formation of functional hair-bearing skin organoids.
In Vitro Effects on Dermal Papilla Cells (DPCs)
Both Minoxidil (MXD) and SOYACT significantly promoted DPC proliferation (120–140% increase). They also upregulated key hair growth factors: Increased mRNA and protein expression of VEGF and HGF. These beneficial effects were maintained even in the presence of DHT.
In human hair follicle organ culture, treatment with MXD and SOYACT (20–200 µg/mL) significantly enhanced hair shaft elongation compared to controls. The hair growth-promoting effect was evident by day 8, even under DHT-induced conditions.
Protection Against DHT-Induced Alopecia in Organoids
Long-term DHT treatment (1 µM for 50 days starting at DIV 100) induced androgenic alopecia-like changes in the organoids, including:
- Pronounced follicular shrinkage
- Significant reduction in the number of mature pigmented hair follicles
In contrast, co-treatment with MXD (50 µM) or SOYACT (200 µg/mL) effectively preserved follicular structure, maintained higher numbers of pigmented hairs, and showed clear protective effects.
Restoration of Molecular Hair Development Markers
Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that DHT markedly decreased critical hair follicle markers:
- SOX2 (dermal papilla stemness)
- PCNA (cell proliferation)
- COL17 and KRT15 (hair follicle stem cell niche integrity)
Treatment with MXD or SOYACT successfully restored the expression of these biomarkers, often bringing them back to or above control levels.
Overall Result: The study demonstrated that the hair organoid model can reliably recapitulate androgenic alopecia upon DHT exposure and effectively evaluate the anti-hair loss efficacy of both a known drug (Minoxidil) and a cosmetic ingredient (SOYACT) at macroscopic (hair count) and microscopic (biomarker) levels.
Discuss Your Hair Research
Impact
Pioneering Platform
Demonstrates the first successful use of hair organoids for anti-hair loss efficacy evaluation, showing consistent results across in vitro, ex vivo, and organoid systems.Animal Alternative
Powerful human-relevant platform that reduces reliance on animal testing, aligning with NAMs and EU regulations.Long-Term Insight
Enables extended observation of hair growth and miniaturization not possible in short-term models.Drug Acceleration
Speeds up discovery and validation of new hair loss treatments.Translational Bridge
Connects basic research to clinical applications in hair science.
Your CRO Partner for Neuroscience Drug Discovery
Read Other Case Study
