Research of interaction between human dermal papilla cells and outer root sheath cells cultured in vitro with the androgen (testosterone)

Objective To observe the proliferative activity of human dermal papilla cells and outer root sheath cells in vitro and the results of the interaction with androgen on different concentration. Methods Dermal papillas were isolated from bald and nonbald adults scalp with the method of dissection by collagenase digestion, then the dermal papilla cells were cultured in vitro with keratinocyte cells medium without serum. Out root sheath cells from nonbald adults were cultured in vitro scalp. The testosterone on different concentration was added in the outer root sheath cells which was cocultured with the dermal papilla cells from the bald and nonbald adult scalp and then the proliferative activoty of the outer root sheath cells were examined. Results Testosterone showed no effects on proliferation of either dermal papilla cells or outer root sheath cells cultured alone(P0.05 versus control). 10 -9 ?ml/L concentration of testosterone( P0.05 versus control)、10 -8 ?ml/L and 10 -7 ?ml/L concentration of testosterone(P0.01 versus control) stimulated proliferation of outer root sheath cells cocultured with dermal papilla cells from the nonbald scalps of adult. and inhibitied proliferation of outer root sheath cells cocultured with dermal papilla cells from the bald scalps of adult. Conclusion The doage of testosterone and existing of dermal papilla cells had an impact on the proliferative activity of outer root sheath cells. Our data indicated that dermal papilla cells may play a intermediary role in this process.