Bioengineering a 3D Integumentary Organ System from iPS Cells Using an In Vivo Transplantation Model

April 2016 in “ Science Advances ”

Ryo Takagi, Junko Ishimaru, Ayaka Sugawara, Koh ei Toyoshima, Kentaro Ishida, Miho Ogawa, Kooko Sakakibara, Kyosuke Asakawa, Akitoshi Kashiwakura, Masamitsu Oshima, Ryohei Minamide, Akio Sato, Toshihiro Yoshitake, Akiko Takeda, Hiroshi Egusa, Takashi Tsuji

TLDR Researchers created a fully functional, bioengineered skin system with hair from stem cells that successfully integrated when transplanted into mice.

In 2016, researchers developed a functional three-dimensional integumentary organ system (IOS) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPS cells) using a novel in vivo transplantation method called clustering-dependent embryoid body (CDB) transplantation. This bioengineered IOS, which included skin appendages like hair follicles and sebaceous glands, was successfully transplanted into nude mice. The transplanted system exhibited full functionality, including proper hair eruption and cycling, and integrated with host tissues without causing tumors. The bioengineered hair follicles also rearranged their stem cells and niches, showing promise for in vitro assays, as an alternative to animal testing, and for organ replacement therapies. The study did not mention the number of mice used. Additionally, the transplanted iPS cell-derived skin was analyzed during the hair growth phase, and the characteristics of the hair were observed microscopically, highlighting the potential of iPS cells in regenerating a complete skin organ system with hair follicles. Supplementary materials provided further methodological and analytical details.

View this study on science.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

6 / 6 results

research Advances in Skin Grafting and Treatment of Cutaneous Wounds

518 citations , November 2014 in “Science”

Skin grafting and wound treatment have improved, but we need more research to better understand wound healing and create more effective treatments.

research Functional Salivary Gland Regeneration by Transplantation of a Bioengineered Organ Germ

165 citations , October 2013 in “Nature Communications”

Scientists made working salivary glands in mice using bioengineered cells, which could help treat dry mouth.

research Tuning Wnt Signals for More or Fewer Hairs

39 citations , January 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Changing Wnt signaling can lead to more or less hair growth and might help treat hair loss and skin conditions.

research Hair Organ Regeneration Via Bioengineered Hair Follicular Unit Transplantation

66 citations , May 2012 in “Scientific Reports”

Scientists successfully created and transplanted bioengineered hair follicles that function like natural ones, suggesting a new treatment for hair loss.

research Fully Functional Hair Follicle Regeneration Through the Rearrangement of Stem Cells and Their Niches

179 citations , April 2012 in “Nature Communications”

Regenerated fully functional hair follicles using stem cells, with potential for hair regrowth therapy.

research Integument Pattern Formation Involves Genetic and Epigenetic Controls: Feather Arrays Simulated by Digital Hormone Models

112 citations , January 2004 in “The International journal of developmental biology”

Feather patterns form through genetic and epigenetic controls, with cells self-organizing into periodic patterns.