Effects of glucocorticoid on human dermal papilla cells in vitro

► We examine the effects of GC, stress hormone, on human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) of hair follicles. ► Dex, a synthetic GC, reduced the number of viable cells and the expression of the Ki-67 in hDPCs. ► VEGF and HGF were downregulated following treatment of DPCs with Dex. ► Dex induces cell cycle arrest by decreasing cyclin D1 expression.