Compositions for controlling hair growth

Abstract

FP-1 is a protein that is specifically expressed in the follicular papilla of the hair follicle. The nucleic acid and amino acid sequences of FP-1, as well as antibodies that specifically bind FP-1 are provided. In addition, methods of isolating follicular papilla cells and methods of modulating hair growth are also disclosed.

1 . An isolated polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NO:2, amino acids 34 to 359 of SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:4, amino acids 34 to 531 of SEQ ID NO:4. 
     
     
         2 . An isolated antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         3 . The antibody of  claim 2  attached to a surface selected from the group consisting of a cell surface, a magnetic bead, a latex bead, and a biodegradable bead. 
     
     
         4 . A method of identifying an agent that modulates hair growth comprising:
 (a) contacting skin, hair follicle or follicular papilla with a test agent; and   (b) measuring the expression of FP-1 in dermal papilla,
 wherein the test agent is an agent that modulates hair growth if the test agent increases or decreases the expression of FP-1 in dermal papilla cells compared to dermal papilla not contacted with the test agent. 
   
     
     
         5 . A method for isolating follicular papilla cells, comprising:
 (a) contacting a mixture of cells with an antibody that binds FP-1; and   separating the cells bound by the antibody from the unbound cells,
 wherein the cells bound by the antibody are follicular papilla cells. 
   
     
     
         6 . A method for validating a test drug for use in modulating hair growth, comprising:
 (a) contacting a follicular papilla with the test agent; and   (b) determining the expression level of FP-1,
 wherein increased levels of FP-1 in the follicular papilla indicates that the test drug is useful for stimulating hair growth, whereas decreased levels of FP-1 in the follicular papilla indicates that the test drug is useful for inhibiting hair growth. 
   
     
     
         7 . An isolated antibody that specifically binds the polypeptide of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . The antibody of  claim 7  attached to a surface selected from the group consisting of a cell surface, a magnetic bead, a latex bead, and a biodegradable bead. 
     
     
         9 . A method of treating a subject with a hair growth disorder, comprising administering to the subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition comprising the polypeptide of  claim 1 , and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, wherein the administration of the composition improves the subject's hair growth. 
     
     
         10 . A method of identifying an agent that modulates hair growth comprising:
 (a) contacting skin, hair follicle or follicular papilla with a test agent; and   (b) measuring the expression of FP-1 in dermal papilla,
 wherein the test agent is an agent that modulates hair growth if the test agent increases or decreases the expression of FP-1 in dermal papilla cells compared to dermal papilla not contacted with the test agent, and 
   
     
     
         11 . A method for isolating follicular papilla cells, comprising contacting a mixture of cells with an antibody that binds FP-1, and separating the cells bound by the antibody from the unbound cells, wherein the cells bound by the antibody are follicular papilla cells. 
     
     
         12 . A method of determining whether a subject is at a risk of developing hair loss, comprising:
 (a) isolating a tissue sample from the subject, and   (b) determining the expression level of FP-1 in a hair follicle of the tissue sample,
 wherein a reduced level of FP-1 in the hair follicle compared to the level of FP-1 in hair or follicle of a subject who does not have a hair disorder is indicative of the subject having a a risk of developing hair loss. 
   
     
     
         13 . A method for validating a test drug for use in modulating hair growth, comprising:
 (a) contacting a follicular papilla with the test agent, and   (b) determining the expression level of FP-1,
 wherein increased levels of FP-1 in the follicular papilla indicates that the test drug is useful for stimulating hair growth, whereas decreased levels of FP-1 in the follicular papilla indicates that the test drug is useful for inhibiting hair growth.