Prostaglandin F2α stimulates the growth of human intermediate hair follicles in ex vivo organ culture with potential clinical relevance

We demonstrate, for the first time, that PGF_2α stimulates human HF growth in organ culture via a receptor-driven mechanism, probably directly affecting the follicles' regulatory dermal papilla function. The greater response of intermediate, compared to matched terminal, HFs suggests potential future clinical significance for medical conditions such as alopecia, or insufficient beard growth, and promoting hair growth in 'relatively hairless' donor graft skin or transplant follicles after elective, trauma or burn injury surgical reconstruction.