Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: Our laboratory has shown that hair follicle stem cells can differentiate into neurons, glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, and melanocvytes in vitro.The hair follicle stem cells are positive for the stem cell markers nestin and CD34 but negative for keratinocyte marker keratin 15, suggesting their relatively undifferentiated state.In vivo studies show the hair follicle stem cells can differentiate into blood vessels and neural tissue after transplantation to the subcutis of nude mice.Hair follicle stem cells implanted into the gap region of severed sciatic or tibial nerves greatly enhance the rate of nerve regeneration and the restoration of nerve function.When transplanted to the severed nerves of the mice, the follicle cells transdifferentiate largely into Schwann cells, which are known to support neuron regrowth.The transplanted mice regain the ability to walk normally.Thus, hair follicle stem cells are pluripotent and provide an effective, accessible, autologous source of stem cells for treatment of peripheral nerve injury and appear to be a paradigm for adult stem cells.
Source: The Journal of Dermatology
Language: English
Topic: Hair Growth and Disorders
Subfield: Urology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W1969068845