Osteopontin Potently Stimulates Hair Follicle Stem Cells for Robust Hair Growth

Study author Maksim Plikus, PhD, Amplifica’s Chief Scientific Officer, talks to DermWire about the research and AMP-203, an osteopontin-based compound that is under pre-clinical development at Amplifica.

Do hairy moles hold the secret to understanding hair growth?

Maybe, according to research published in the June 21, 2023 issue of Nature. Using a mouse model, researchers tracked the activity of hair follicle stem cells in mole skin over time and found that the excessive hair growth in these mice was driven by a shorter than typical time frame between consecutive hair growth cycles.  When they further analyzed the signals released by the mole's senescent melanocytes, they found that one specific signaling molecule, called osteopontin, potently stimulates hair follicle stem cells for robust hair growth. 

Moreover, samples of human hairy skin moles showed increased levels of osteopontin when compared to adjacent normal skin. To further test the hair growth effects of osteopontin, researchers administered a dose of osteopontin to human hair follicles in skin grafts and induced new growth.

Here, lead author Maksim Plikus, PhD, Amplifica’s Chief Scientific Officer, and professor of Developmental and Cell Biology at the University of California, Irvine, spoke to DermWire about the new study findings and AMP-203, an osteopontin-based compound that is under pre-clinical development at Amplifica.

DermWire: What is the main takeaway message of your new study? 

 Maksim Plikus, PhD: “Studying natural conditions of enhanced hair growth, such as hairy skin nevi, can offer insights into key molecules, such as osteopontin, regulating normal hair growth cycle. In turn, this can inspire new molecular targets for enhancing hair growth upon alopecia.”

DermWire: How does this advance our understanding of alopecia? 

Dr. Plikus: “It identifies a new molecular pathway, osteopontin/CD44 pathway, that potently stimulates the growth of hair. Agonists of this pathway, including osteopontin itself, can be studied for their potential to be next-generation hair loss medicines. “

DermWire:  Tell us about Amplifica’s AMP-203.

Dr. Plikus: “The compound highlighted in the Nature publication is designated as AMP-203 at Amplifica. AMP-203 is an osteopontin-based compound that is under pre-clinical development at Amplifica. Amplifica will be initiating its clinical development program to evaluate the safety of its core technology during the calendar year 2023.  Amplifica is in the early stages of clinical development thus no timelines have been disclosed at this time.”

DermWire: What are the next steps research-wise? 

Dr. Plikus: “There are other signaling molecules that are enriched in hairy skin moles. We are studying them now.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Maksim Plikus, PhD