These findings indicate that PTEN loss coupled with PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy inhibition and apoptosis in DPCs is a key mechanism of stress-related hair loss induced by CRH and suggests that topical activation of PTEN or enhancement of autophagy, e.g. through rapamycin, may have a therapeutic effect on stress-induced hair loss disorders such as alopecia. Here, PTEN is linked to alopecia.