CXCL12 Neutralizing Antibody Promotes Hair Growth in Androgenic Alopecia and Alopecia Areata

We had previously investigated the expression and functional role of C-X-C Motif Chemokine Ligand 12 (CXCL12) during the hair cycle progression. CXCL12 was highly expressed in stromal cells such as dermal fibroblasts (DFs) and inhibition of CXCL12 increased hair growth. Therefore, we further investigated whether a CXCL12 neutralizing antibody (alpha CXCL12) is effective for androgenic alopecia (AGA) and alopecia areata (AA) and studied the underlying molecular mechanism for treating these diseases. In the AGA model, CXCL12 is highly expressed in DFs. Subcutaneous (s.c.) injection of alpha CXCL12 significantly induced hair growth in AGA mice, and treatment with alpha CXCL12 attenuated the androgen-induced hair damage in hair organ culture. Androgens increased the secretion of CXCL12 from DFs through the androgen receptor (AR). Secreted CXCL12 from DFs increased the expression of the AR and C-X-C Motif Chemokine Receptor 4 (CXCR4) in dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which induced hair loss in AGA. Likewise, CXCL12 expression is increased in AA mice, while s.c. injection of alpha CXCL12 significantly inhibited hair loss in AA mice and reduced the number of CD8+, MHC-I+, and MHC-II+ cells in the skin. In addition, injection of alpha CXCL12 also prevented the onset of AA and reduced the number of CD8+ cells. Interferon-gamma (IFN gamma) treatment increased the secretion of CXCL12 from DFs through the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) pathway, and alpha CXCL12 treatment protected the hair follicle from IFN gamma in hair organ culture. Collectively, these results indicate that CXCL12 is involved in the progression of AGA and AA and antibody therapy for CXCL12 is promising for hair loss treatment.