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Improved method of differentiation, selection and amplification of human melanocytes from the hair follicle cell pool
Author(s) -
Savkovic Vuk,
Dieckmann Christina,
Milkova Linda,
Simon Jan C.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/exd.12038
Subject(s) - hair follicle , outer root sheath , biology , depigmentation , microbiology and biotechnology , ex vivo , induced pluripotent stem cell , cellular differentiation , melanin , regenerative medicine , melanocyte , stem cell , in vivo , embryonic stem cell , cancer research , genetics , gene , melanoma
Abstract Hair root harbours a complex cell pool with an immense developmental potential. Several lineages, including skin, can be differentiated from the multipotent to pluripotent cells of outer root sheath ( ORS ) of hair follicle. Outer root sheath presents the most opulent non‐invasively gained adult stem cell source known. For the purposes of cultivating melanocytes designated for graft‐based treatments of depigmentation disorders, we have established an ex vivo/in vitro cultivation method by introducing several methodological improvements to the ORS explant method of D ieckmann. As a result, we gained a higher, purer yield of differentiated melanocytes in half the time (at least 10 6 of 95% pure cells in 4 weeks). This reliable cultivation procedure begins with the epilation of 60 hairs and yields high numbers of ORS melanocytes that could be used for grafting applications. The procedure not only utilises the developmental potential of hair root cell pool and favors differentiation into melanocytes, but also contributes to the general trend of minimal‐to‐non‐invasive strategies for regenerative medicine.