Differentiation of cultured hair follicle neural crest stem cells into functional melanocytes
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: Many autologous melanocytes are required for surgical treatment of depigmentation diseases such as vitiligo. However, primary cultured melanocytes have a limited number of in vitro passages. The production of functional epidermal melanocytes from stem cells provides an unprecedented source of cell therapy for vitiligo. This study explores the clinical application of melanocytes induced by hair follicle neural crest stem cells (HFNCSCs). This study established an in vitro differentiation model of HFNCSCs into melanocytes. Results demonstrate that most differentiated melanocytes expressed the proteins C-KIT, MITF, S-100B, TYRP1, TYRP2, and tyrosinase. The HFNCSC-derived melanocytes were successfully transplanted onto the dorsal skin of mice and survived in the local tissues, expressing marker protein of melanocytes. In conclusion, HFNCSCs in mice can be induced to differentiate into melanocytes under specific conditions. These induced melanocytes exhibit the potential to facilitate repigmentation in the lesion areas of vitiligo-affected mice, suggesting a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention.
Source: Heliyon
Authors: Hongjuan Wang, Wen Hu, Fang Xiang, Zixian Lei, Xiangyue Zhang, Jingzhan Zhang, Yuan Ding, Xiaojing Kang
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $2,100
Funders: Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang Province, Science and Technology Department of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, National Natural Science Foundation of China, National Aerospace Science Foundation of China, Natural Science Foundation of Xinjiang, Science Fund for Distinguished Young Scholars of Xinjiang Autonomous Region, National Natural Science Foundation of China-Yunnan Joint Fund
OpenAlex ID: W4401385584