Hair Follicle Induction by Cultured Fibroblasts from Various Organs

The study investigated the potential of mesenchymal cells from various organs to induce hair follicle regeneration. Cells were harvested from the skin, lung, fat, and liver of adult male C57BL/6J mice, cultured, and formed into cell aggregates. When skin and lung-derived aggregates were transplanted with neonatal mouse epidermal cells into skin defects of immunodeficient mice, hair follicle regeneration was observed. The use of GFP mouse-derived cells confirmed this regeneration, with GFP-positive cells accumulating in specific areas. Real-time PCR analysis showed increased expression of Wnt-related factors and genes like CD133 and Sox-2, associated with hair follicle induction and cell undifferentiation, after non-adherent culture initiation.