Lab-grown hair follicles function in mice and show regenerative potential

A Japanese-led study used three cell types to build bioengineered hair follicle "seeds" that produced visible hair in culture and, after transplantation, integrated and cycled for 68 days in mice.

Researchers report building working hair follicles in the lab using a three-cell approach. Hair loss affects roughly one-quarter of people worldwide, which helps explain the interest in new regeneration methods. The study was published in Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications and was led by a team in Japan with partial funding from OrganTech. Using an organ germ method, the authors constructed bioengineered follicle "seeds" that produced a visible hair shaft in culture. Key findings: - The research combined epithelial stem cells, dermal papilla cells, and mesenchymal cells (derived from hairy skin) to form a hair placode and support follicle downgrowth. - The team layered papilla cells, supporting cells, and stem cells using their organ germ method to create a bioengineered follicle seed; a visible hair shaft appeared after about two weeks in culture. - Transplanted into mice, the lab-grown follicles integrated with local nerve and muscle tissues and exhibited a natural hair cycle for 68 days. - The authors report that functional follicle regeneration can be achieved in organ culture through organized interactions among three compartmentalized cell populations. Summary: The work provides a laboratory model that can aid study of organ development and offers a platform for experimental hair-loss research. Undetermined at this time.