How rare genes affect hair loss in men

What is male-pattern hair loss?

Male-pattern hair loss is a common condition that affects many men, especially as they get older. It causes the hair to thin and recede from the forehead and the crown of the head, leaving a horseshoe-shaped pattern of hair around the sides and back. This can affect a person’s appearance and self-esteem.

What causes male-pattern hair loss?

Male-pattern hair loss is mainly caused by genetic factors, which means it runs in families. Hormones, such as testosterone, also play a role in how the hair follicles respond to the genes. However, not all genes that affect hair loss are the same. Some genes are very common and have a small effect, while others are very rare and have a large effect.

How do researchers study the genes for hair loss?

Researchers use different methods to study the genes for hair loss. One method is to look at common genetic variants, which are small differences in the DNA that are shared by many people. These variants can be detected by using a simple test, such as a saliva sample or a cheek swab. Another method is to look at rare genetic variants, which are large differences in the DNA that are unique to a few people or a single person. These variants can be detected by using a complex test, such as sequencing the whole genome or exome of an individual.

What did the researchers find in this study?

In this study, researchers from Germany analyzed the rare genetic variants of 72,469 men from the UK Biobank project, which is a large database of health and genetic information. They used advanced statistical and bioinformatic methods to find associations between rare variants and male-pattern hair loss. They found five genes that were significantly associated with hair loss: EDA2R, WNT10A, HEPH, CEPT1, and EIF3F.

What do these genes do?

These genes are involved in different processes that affect hair development and growth. For example:

• EDA2R and WNT10A are part of a signaling pathway that regulates how the hair follicles develop and cycle.
• HEPH is involved in transporting iron, which is an essential nutrient for hair growth.
• CEPT1 is involved in making phospholipids, which are important components of the cell membrane and the hair shaft.
• EIF3F is involved in making proteins, which are the building blocks of the hair.

How do these findings help us understand hair loss?

These findings help us understand how rare genetic variants can contribute to hair loss, in addition to common genetic variants. They also help us identify new candidate genes that may be involved in hair loss. These genes may provide new insights into the biology of hair growth and new targets for treatment or prevention of hair loss.

What are the limitations and implications of this study?

This study has some limitations and implications that need to be considered. For example:

• The study only included men from the UK Biobank project, so it may not represent other populations or women.
• The study only looked at rare genetic variants, so it did not account for other factors that may influence hair loss, such as environmental or lifestyle factors.
• The study only found associations between rare variants and hair loss, so it did not prove causality or explain how these variants affect hair growth.
• The study only focused on five genes, so it may have missed other rare variants or genes that are also important for hair loss.

Therefore, more research is needed to confirm and extend these findings, and to explore their clinical relevance and applications.