Hair loss and thinning result from premature catagen and telogen development, and terminal to vellus conversion, the latter caused also by reduced bulge hair follicle stem cell (HFSC) number or ability to produce cell progeny. Although it is known that nutraceutical supplementation with collagen peptides can improve skin physiology, and that loss of type XVII collagen leads to the depletion of HFSCs in mice, the effect of collagen peptides on HF biology remains elusive. Thus, we investigated the effect of bovine (Peptan®B) and fish (Peptan®Marine)-derived collagen peptides on HF biology. Human microdissected male and female HFs were treated ex vivo with in vitro-digested (to mimic gastric digestion) collagen peptides and processed the tissue for quantitative (immuno-) histomorphometry. Peptan®Marine slightly increased hair matrix keratinocyte proliferation and significantly prolonged anagen ex vivo. It did not alter the numbers of K15+ or K19+ HFSCs in the bulge or suprabulbar outer root sheath (subORS), but significantly reduced the proliferation of K15+ cells in the bulge and up-regulated the number of CD34+ cells. In contrast, Peptan®B did not affect hair cycle or numbers of CD34+ cells, but significantly increased K15+ cells in the bulge, but not in the subORS. It also significantly reduced the proliferation of K15+ cells in the bulge, inhibited apoptosis in K15+ cells in the subORS, and increased K19+ cells in the bulge and significantly in subORS. Therefore, our results suggest that collagen peptides maintain or prolong anagen and balance HFSC (K15+) and their progeny (CD34+ and K19+). Thus, our data invite the nutraceutical supplementation with collagen peptides for aging and hair loss disorders, such as androgenetic alopecia.

ESDR573 - Marine and Bovine-Derived Collagen Peptides Inhibit Catagen Development and Generate Diverse Effects on Stem Cells and Progeny in Human Scalp Hair Follicles Ex Vivo

The scientific meeting of the European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) is held yearly, usually in September. With an international attendance of more than 1000 skin scientists from around the globe, the four-day event includes short oral presentations from peer-reviewed abstracts, keynote lectures from international experts, sponsored symposia, satellite programs, educational events as well as an important focus on posters, networking and building collaborations amongst scientists. For more information about this year’s meeting visit our website.