Method for diagnosing alopecia

Abstract

The present invention relates to novel hair follicle growth factor (HFGF) proteins, genes encoding HFGFs, methods for preparing HFGF proteins and therapeutic uses of HFGF proteins. The HFGF proteins of the present invention have a characteristic reduced expression in hair follicles derived from alopecia patients and have a stimulatory effect on hair follicle cell proliferation. HFGF proteins may be used to prevent or treat alopecia and to promote or accelerate hair growth and hair follicle repair.

1 - 44 . (canceled)  
     
     
         45 . A method for diagnosing a condition which results from under-expression or altered expression of hair follicle growth factor (HFGF) in a subject, said method comprising: 
 collecting an analytical sample from the subject; and    analyzing the analytical sample for HFGF protein or DNA encoding HFGF to determine whether the subject under-expresses or has altered expression of HFGF.    
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the condition is alopecia.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said method comprises detecting HFGF proteins in the analytical sample.  
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein said method comprises detecting DNA encoding HFGF proteins in the analytical sample.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 45 , wherein the analytical sample is selected from the group consisting of a tissue sample, a fluid sample, and a combination thereof.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the fluid sample comprises blood.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the tissue sample comprises a hair follicle cell.  
     
     
         52 . A method for determining whether a subject is predisposed to developing alopecia, said method comprising: 
 collecting an analytical sample from the subject; and    analyzing the analytical sample for HFGF protein or DNA encoding HFGF to determine whether the subject is predisposed to developing alopecia.    
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said method comprises detecting HFGF proteins in the analytical sample.  
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein said method comprises detecting DNA encoding HFGF proteins in the analytical sample.  
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 54 , wherein said method for detecting DNA encoding HFGF proteins comprises: 
 obtaining mRNA from the analytical sample;    obtaining cDNA from the mRNA; and    determining the presence of cDNA that encodes HFGF proteins.    
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 55 , wherein the analytical sample comprises a hair follicle cell.