Hepatocyte Growth Factor (HGF) is a multifunctional cytokine initially identified as a mitogen (growth factor) for hepatocytes (liver cells). It is now recognized as a growth factor in several human tissues. In the human scalp, HGF is secreted by perifollicular dermal white adipose tissue (dWAT), particularly by differentiated adipocytes, pre-adipocytes, and pericytes.
Scientists noticed that reduced perifollicular dWAT and decreased HGF secretion are common in androgenetic alopecia and alopecia areata. Conversely, excessive HGF activity may contribute to hirsutism or hypertrichosis, as suggested by hair growth following autologous fat grafting.
sh-Polypeptide-62 is a synthetic recombinant Hepatocyte Growth Factor analog that mimics a dWAT-secreted factor that stimulates hair growth, keratin production, and pigmentation in human scalp skin.
sh-Polypeptide-62 activates Wnt/β-catenin signaling in human hair follicles, a pathway essential for anagen maintenance and keratin gene expression. Furthermore, sh-Polypeptide-62 acts as a promelanogenic factor, stimulating melanin production specifically within the hair follicle pigmentary unit.In vivo studies with sh-Polypeptide-62 impacted hair follicle functions, revealing hair shaft elongation after two days. In addition, Recombinant human HGF improved keratinocyte proliferation, hair pigmentation, and differentiation of hair shaft cells.
