[Effects of dihydrotestosterone on cultured hair papilla cells and localization of its receptors].

We have reported that cultured papilla cells (PC) grown by isolation and cultivation of human hair papillae show some biological characteristics. In the present study, localization of androgen binding proteins in PC and effects of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) on PC in vitro were examined. Cytochemical staining of PC using DHT-peroxidase conjugate gave positive reactions in the nucleo of PC originating from scalp- and axilla-hair papillae. The cultivation of PC with added DHT in media for two weeks showed increases 3H-thymidine uptake and 14C-proline uptake over that of dermal fibroblasts. These results suggest that androgen receptors exist in PC and that DHT in culture media induces an accelerating effect upon the DNA synthesis and protein synthesis.