Methods for generating new hair follicles, treating baldness, and hair removal

Abstract

The present invention provides methods of treating baldness in a subject and generating new hair follicles, comprising epidermal disruption and administration of a compound that promotes a differentiation of an uncommitted epidermal cell into a hair follicle cell. The present invention also provides methods for hair removal and inducing hair pigmentation.

1 - 37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A method for treating baldness or a hair loss condition or for stimulating hair growth in a human subject comprising: (a) wounding an area of the balding scalp of said human subject by disrupting an epidermis or dermis of the area of the balding scalp, thereby creating a wounded area; and (b) contacting the wounded area with a compound or factor that activates a beta-catenin protein or an inhibitor of a protein that suppresses an activity of the beta-catenin protein and minoxidil. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said wounding is performed with a tool that comprises sandpaper, a laser, a Fraxel laser, a CO 2  laser, an excimer laser, a felt wheel, a dermabrasion device, a light-based method, irradiation with visible light, irradiation with infrared light, irradiation with ultraviolet radiation, orthovoltage radiation, xray radiation, a surgical tool, a dermal biopsy punch, or is performed with a burn treatment or chemical treatment. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein said dermabrasion device is a micro-dermabrasion device. 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said wounding is dermabrasion. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the wounding-step comprises disrupting the epidermis and dermis of the area of the balding scalp. 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 38 , in which only part of the epidermis is removed. 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the method further comprises contacting said area of the balding scalp with a precursor cell, an inductive cell, or a hair follicle or a portion thereof. 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the method further comprises contacting said area of the balding scalp with one or more of the following compounds: finasteride, dutasteride, fluridil, spironolactone, cyproterone acetate, bicalutamide, flutamide, nilutamide, an inhibitor of an androgen receptor, an androgen antagonist, or an anti-androgen. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said wounding-step is performed between 3-12 days, 4-12 days, 5-12 days, 4-11 days, 6-11 days, 6-10 days, 6-9 days, 6-8 days, 7-8 days, 5-11 days, 5-10 days, 7-10 days, or about 1 week prior to said contacting step. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said area of the balding scalp is subjected to depilation or administration of a retinoid prior to said wounding. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 47 , wherein said depilation is performed by plucking, waxing, abrasion, laser, electrolysis, or administration of thioglycolic acid on said area of the balding scalp. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said wounded area of the balding scalp is not surgically closed, or not contacted with a bandage, dressing, or ointment that facilitates wound healing for a period of time following said wounding-step. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein said period of time is within about 1 day, about 2 days, about 3 days, about 4 days, about 5 days, about 7 days, about 10 days, about 11 days, about 14 days, about 17 days, or about 3 weeks. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said wounded area of the balding scalp is allowed to heal by secondary intention. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the method is performed on a subject with androgenetic alopecia (AGA), scarring alopecia, male pattern baldness, female pattern baldness, discoid lupus erythematosis, or lichen planopilaris. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said treatment results in an increase in markers of hair follicle proliferation, hair follicle differentiation or hair follicle embryonic development. 
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said treatment results in an increase in the amount of pigmented hair or an increase in hair follicle size. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said treatment results in differentiation of an uncommitted epidermal cell into a hair follicle cell. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said treatment results in generation of a hair follicle in the scalp of the subject. 
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said wounding does not result in bleeding. 
     
     
         58 . A method for treating baldness or a hair loss condition or for stimulating hair growth in a human subject comprising: (a) perforating an area of the balding scalp of said human subject, thereby generating a disrupted epidermis or dermis area of the balding scalp; and (b) contacting the disrupted epidermis or dermis area of the balding scalp with a compound or factor that activates a beta-catenin protein or an inhibitor of a protein that suppresses an activity of the beta-catenin protein and minoxidil. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein said compound or factor is a Wnt7 protein or a nucleic acid molecule encoding said Wnt7 protein. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 38 , wherein the step of disrupting said epidermis comprises the disruption of the basal and suprabasal epidermal layers.