Treatment of hereditary hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp with topical gentamicin

Abstract

Our findings indicate that topical gentamicin should be considered as a potential therapeutic modality in HSS. What's already known about this topic? Hypotrichosis simplex of the scalp (HSS) is caused by nonsense mutations in CDSN encoding corneodesmosin. The mutant corneodesmosin has been hypothesized to be toxic to the hair follicles, leading to hypotrichosis. Disorders caused by nonsense mutations are amenable to ribosomal read-through using gentamicin. What does this study add? Gentamicin enhanced read-through activity and promoted full-length corneodesmosin synthesis in primary keratinocytes derived from patients carrying a nonsense mutation in CDSN. Topical treatment with gentamicin was found to rescue the hypotrichosis phenotype partially in four patients with HSS. What is the translational message? Topical gentamicin should be considered as a potential treatment for HSS.