Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41287018›Full record

ArticleStem cell research & therapy2025

The human umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cell secretome regulates hair growth and cycle transition by promoting methylthioadenosine synthesis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Yarui Zhang, Xueer Wang, Qimei Chen, Shan Zhao, Lingwei Bu, Shenhua Wu, Jianyuan Huang, Xunhong Xu, Xinyu Yang, Yong Miao and 2 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Stem cell research & therapy, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
3citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

3 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

12 authors.

Yarui Zhang *Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Xueer Wang *Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Qimei ChenDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Shan ZhaoDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Lingwei BuDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Shenhua WuDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Jianyuan HuangDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Xunhong XuDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Xinyu YangDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China.
Yong MiaoDepartment of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University Guangzhou, No. 1838, North Guangzhou Avenue, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, Guangdong Province, People's Republic of China. miaoyong123@i.smu.edu.cn.
Lin ZhangDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China. zlilyzh@smu.edu.cn.
Min ZhangDepartment of Histology and Embryology, School of Basic Medical Sciences, Southern Medical University, No. 1023-1063, Shatai South Road, Baiyun District, Guangzhou, 510515, People's Republic of China. zhangying@smu.edu.cn.

Funding

the GDMPA Key Laboratory Project of Scientific and Technological Innovation No. 2023ZDZ12the National Natural Science Foundation of China 81402613the National Natural Science Foundation of China 82372538the Natural Science Foundation of Guangdong Province No. 2023A1515012827
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe human umbilical cord (hUC)-mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) secretome (SCT) is a cell-free therapy that may emerge as a novel therapeutic strategy for hair loss prevention. Here, we aimed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms through which SCT regulates hair growth and cycle transition.

methodsUsing C57BL/6 mice, ex vivo follicles, and cell experiments, we studied the effects and mechanisms of SCT on hair growth and cycling using untargeted metabolomics and phosphoproteomics. A three-month double-blind clinical study was conducted to validate the effects of SCT on human hair.

resultsSCT promotes the telogen-to-anagen transition, hair thickening, and elongation of the vibrissae in mice; regulates dermal papilla cells and hair matrix cells through cysteine and methionine metabolism; and stimulates methylthioadenosine synthesis in hair matrix cells by activating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. Clinical studies demonstrated that SCT increased human hair density and average hair diameter. Scalp physiological tests and subjective feedback indicated no related adverse reactions on the scalp or hair.

conclusionsSCT promoted hair growth, thickening, and the hair follicle cycle via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway. This research provides a basis for the application of cell-free alternatives in hair care and hair loss prevention.

Indexed as

AdenosineHairMesenchymal Stem CellsSecretomeUmbilical CordAdultAnimalsFemaleHair FollicleHumansMaleMiceMice, Inbred C57BLPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktSignal TransductionAdenosineMTOR protein, humanPhosphatidylinositol 3-KinasesProto-Oncogene Proteins c-aktTOR Serine-Threonine KinasesHair cycleHair follicleHuman umbilical cord–mesenchymal stem cell secretomeMethylthioadenosinePI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway

Identifiers

PMID41287018
PMCPMC12751677

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.