Open AccessHuman hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells: Isolation, expansion, and differentiation
Author(s) -
Bo Wang,
Xiaomei Liu,
Zinan Liu,
Yuan Wang,
Xing Han,
Aobo Lian,
Ying Mu,
Minghua Jin,
Jinyu Liu
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
world journal of stem cells
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.907
H-Index - 18
ISSN - 1948-0210
DOI - 10.4252/wjsc.v12.i6.462
Subject(s) - mesenchymal stem cell , hair follicle , microbiology and biotechnology , stem cell , regenerative medicine , dermal papillae , biology , adult stem cell , tissue engineering , induced pluripotent stem cell , regeneration (biology) , cellular differentiation , anatomy , endothelial stem cell , in vitro , embryonic stem cell , gene , biochemistry , genetics
Hair follicles are easily accessible skin appendages that protect against cold and potential injuries. Hair follicles contain various pools of stem cells, such as epithelial, melanocyte, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that continuously self-renew, differentiate, regulate hair growth, and maintain skin homeostasis. Recently, MSCs derived from the dermal papilla or dermal sheath of the human hair follicle have received attention because of their accessibility and broad differentiation potential. In this review, we describe the applications of human hair follicle-derived MSCs (hHF-MSCs) in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. We have described protocols for isolating hHF-MSCs from human hair follicles and their culture condition in detail. We also summarize strategies for maintaining hHF-MSCs in a highly proliferative but undifferentiated state after repeated in vitro passages, including supplementation of growth factors, 3D suspension culture technology, and 3D aggregates of MSCs. In addition, we report the potential of hHF-MSCs in obtaining induced smooth muscle cells and tissue-engineered blood vessels, regenerated hair follicles, induced red blood cells, and induced pluripotent stem cells. In summary, the abundance, convenient accessibility, and broad differentiation potential make hHF-MSCs an ideal seed cell source of regenerative medical and cell therapy.