DNA methylation of microRNA-365-1 induces apoptosis of hair follicle stem cells by targeting DAP3

Background: DNA methylation is a crucial epigenetic alteration involved in diverse biological processes and diseases. Nevertheless, the precise role of DNA methylation in chemotherapeutic drug-induced alopecia remains unclear. This study examined the role and novel processes of DNA methylation in regulating of chemotherapeutic drug-induced alopecia. Methods: A mouse model of cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced alopecia was established. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemical staining for the Ki67 proportion and a mitochondrial membrane potential assay (JC-1) were performed to assess the structural integrity and proliferative efficiency of the hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs). Immunofluorescence staining and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) were performed to determine the expression levels of key HFSC markers, namely Lgr5, CD49f, Sox9, CD200, and FZD10. Differential DNA methylation levels between the normal and CTX-induced model groups were determined through simple methylation sequencing and analyzed using bioinformatics tools. The expression levels of miR-365-1, apoptosis markers, and DAP3 were detected through RT-qPCR and western blotting. In parallel, primary mouse HFSCs were extracted and used as a cell model, which was constructed using 4-hydroperoxycyclophosphamide. The luciferase reporter gene assay was conducted to confirm miR-365-1 binding to DAP3. To measure the expression of relevant indicators, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) kits were used. Methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR) was performed to determine DNA methylation levels. The regulatory relationship within HFSCs was confirmed through plasmid overexpression of miR-365-1 and DAP3. Result: In the alopecia areata model, a substantial number of apoptotic cells were observed within the hair follicles on the mouse backs. Immunofluorescence staining revealed that the expression of HFSC markers significantly reduced in the CTX group. Both RT-qPCR and western blotting demonstrated a noteworthy difference in DNA methyltransferase expression. Simple methylation sequencing unveiled that DNA methylation substantially increased within the dorsal skin of the CTX group. Subsequent screening identified miR-365-1 as the most differentially expressed miRNA. miR-365-1 was predicted and confirmed to bind to the target gene DAP3. In the CTX group, SOD and ATP expression markedly reduced, whereas MDA levels were significantly elevated. Cellular investigations revealed 4-HC-induced cell cycle arrest and decreased expression of HFSC markers. MS-PCR indicated hypermethylation modification of miR-365-1 in the 4-HC-induced HFSCs. The luciferase reporter gene experiment confirmed the binding of miR-365-1 to the DAP3 promoter region. miR-365-1 overexpression dramatically reduced apoptotic protein expression in the HFSCs. However, this effect was slightly reversed after DAP3 overexpression in lentivirus. Conclusion: This study explored the occurrence of miR-365-1 DNA methylation in chemotherapeutic drug-induced alopecia. The results unveiled that miR-365-1 reduces cell apoptosis by targeting DAP3 in HFSCs, thereby revealing the role of DNA methylation of the miR-365-1 promoter in chemotherapeutic drug-induced alopecia.