Male-pattern baldness, common latent viruses, and microcompetition

Many studies link the development of androgen-related disorders to the overexpression of two proteins, 5α-reductase and androgen receptor (AR). In this commentary, we use microcompetition to explain how common latent viruses can cause transcription factor deficiency, overexpression of 5α-reductase and AR, and male-pattern baldness.

Journal of cosmetic dermatology. 2018 Jul 17 [Epub ahead of print]

Hanan Polansky, Emily H Kestenbaum

The Center for the Biology of Chronic Disease (CBCD), Valley Cottage, New York.