Hair Research Laboratory at the University of British Columbia
Hair Research Laboratory at the University of British Columbia
Q. Why do you do hair research?
A. Why not? We get asked why we study hair follicles a lot, even by other scientists and dermatologists. Many people think hair research is not a ÏseriousÓ subject of study. Unfortunately, hair research suffers from an apparent association with quack cures and snake oils and the view that ÏitÌs only hair after allÓ. Often though those who do not take hair loss seriously are those who have a full head of hair! ItÌs quite true that you do not die form hair loss, but for many with hair loss it can be an emotionally distressing event. Whilst hair loss is generally acknowledged in men, hair loss in women and children does not receive the same universal acceptance. It may be one of the best kept secrets in the world, but up to 40% of women experience hair loss at some point in their lives. Around 2% of children will experience some form of hair loss and for men, up to 70% will develop some degree of baldness.
When hair loss is sudden and extensive, as it can be with alopecia areata, the emotional impact can be particularly severe. Affected individuals may limit their social interaction, become depressed, and ultimately a few commit suicide. Hair plays an important role in our society though its influence is usually not consciously recognized. Several studies have shown that individuals experiencing baldness are less likely to succeed at job interviews and will have lower incomes than their fully haired counterparts. Hair subconsciously indicates youth and vitality - baldness is generally taken as a negative indicator of age and senescence.
As baldness is viewed in such a negative light, it is not surprising that billions of dollars are spent each year by people on treatments, wigs and cosmetics to hide their hair loss. Hair loss has a considerable impact on our culture and its influence cannot be understated.
Q. What made you study alopecia areata?
A. When I graduated from my batchelorÌs degree I knew I wanted to study immunology and preferably something to do with autoimmunity. One of the laboratories I interviewed at was working on alopecia areata. I didnÌt know anything about it, but it sounded intriguing to me! I do not have alopecia areata myself, my interest in the condition comes from my interest in immunology as applied to skin diseases.
Q. Do you make lots of money from hair research?
A. No. Though in principle there may be a lot of money to be made with an effective treatment for hair loss, the reality is rather different. Our laboratory takes an academic approach where the focus is first and foremost on understanding hair biology and mechanisms of hair loss. Our greater focus is on ÏorphanÓ hair loss diseases; those conditions that affect relatively few people and for which a treatment is unlikely to be developed by industry. The laboratory conducts very little research on common pattern baldness, rather it concentrates on alopecia areata, scarring alopecias, and understanding basic hair biology.
Q. Do you research anything other than hair follicles?
A. Yes. The laboratory also works on basal cell carcinomas (BCCs). BCC is the most common form of malignant disease throughout the world and constitutes 75% of all incidences of non-melanoma skin cancer. The annual incidence of BCC has been estimated to be 900,000 (550,000 male, 350,000 female) in the USA alone. Details on BCC frequency in Canada are limited, but one study suggests the annual incidence of BCC cases is approximately 70,000. The estimated lifetime risk of BCC in the North American Caucasian population is 33-39% in men and 23-28% in women. BCC frequency is increasing at a rate of 2-19% per year, depending on geographic location. Though not generally regarded as a ÏsunspotÓ, the Canadian incidence of BCC is also increasing at an annual rate of almost 4%. The rising rate of BCC incidence is likely due to a combination of improved diagnosis and reporting, increased sun exposure due to increased outdoor activity, changes in clothing style, increased longevity, and increased ultraviolet radiation intensity due to ozone depletion.
Hair research scientists are interested in BCCs as it seems that around one third of all BCCs are derived from mutated hair follicle stem cells. BCCs show many hair follicle characteristics. In a sense, hair follicles can be described as a regulated skin growth while BCCs can be described as a dysregulated skin growth. Genetic mutations in the genes patched and smoothened, which are also fundamental to hair follicle development and growth, have been implicated in BCC development. However, downstream and ancillary growth factor effects essential in the understanding of tumor initiation, progression and phenotype have not been defined. Part of the laboratoryÌs research involves the study of BCC growth mechanisms and their relationship to hair follicles.
Q. Can hair follicles kill you?
A. Possibly! Recent research has shown that the growth dynamics of hair follicles can be hijacked by skin cancers including melanomas. The tumors can encourage hair follicles adjacent to them to grow blood vessels into the tumours and support their growth. It is also theoretically possible that the growth promoting factors that hair follicles produce for their own growth maintenance could also encourage metastasis and spreading of skin cancer.
The University of British Columbia, Department of Dermatology and Skin Science
835 West 10th Avenue, Vancouver, BC Canada V5Z 4E8
Votes:3
Comments: 0