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Androgenetic alopecia: a review

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Abstract

Purpose

Androgenetic alopecia, commonly known as male pattern baldness, is the most common type of progressive hair loss disorder in men. The aim of this paper is to review recent advances in understanding the pathophysiology and molecular mechanism of androgenetic alopecia.

Methods

Using the PubMed database, we conducted a systematic review of the literature, selecting studies published from 1916 to 2016.

Results

The occurrence and development of androgenetic alopecia depends on the interaction of endocrine factors and genetic predisposition. Androgenetic alopecia is characterized by progressive hair follicular miniaturization, caused by the actions of androgens on the epithelial cells of genetically susceptible hair follicles in androgen-dependent areas. Although the exact pathogenesis of androgenetic alopecia remains to be clarified, research has shown that it is a polygenetic condition. Numerous studies have unequivocally identified two major genetic risk loci for androgenetic alopecia, on the X-chromosome AR⁄EDA2R locus and the chromosome 20p11 locus.

Conclusions

Candidate gene and genome-wide association studies have reported that single-nucleotide polymorphisms at different genomic loci are associated with androgenetic alopecia development. A number of genes determine the predisposition for androgenetic alopecia in a polygenic fashion. However, further studies are needed before the specific genetic factors of this polygenic condition can be fully explained.

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Acknowledgments

The authors wish to thank Marie-Hélène Hayles for her assistance in the English translation of the manuscript. This work was supported by a grant from the Italian Ministry of Education and Research (MIUR-PRIN) and the University of Rome “La Sapienza” Faculty of Medicine.

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  1. Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Francesca Lolli, Francesco Pallotti, Andrea Lenzi, Andrea Sansone & Francesco Lombardo

  2. Department of Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties, University of Rome “La Sapienza”, Rome, Italy

    Alfredo Rossi, Maria C. Fortuna & Gemma Caro

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  1. Francesca Lolli
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Lolli, F., Pallotti, F., Rossi, A. et al. Androgenetic alopecia: a review. Endocrine 57, 9–17 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-017-1280-y

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