Bioengineering the Hair Follicle

January 2007 in “ Organogenesis ”

Kurt S. Stenn, Satish Parimoo, Ying Zheng, T. Barrows, Marylene Boucher, Ken Washenik

bioengineering hair growth alopecia hair follicle follicular papilla epithelium hair cloning dissociated cells trichogenic cells stem cells male pattern balding hair follicle regeneration hair loss male pattern baldness

Studysummary This review outlines the evolution of hair follicle engineering and its foundational discoveries, but reports no new experimental results.

Our plain-language summary. Not medical advice or a treatment recommendation. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before changing treatment. Full disclaimer

The 2006 document "Bioengineering the Hair Follicle" discussed the potential of bioengineering for hair growth and alopecia treatment. The researchers highlighted the complexity of the hair follicle structure and the challenges of replicating it. They emphasized the importance of understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms of hair follicle development for successful bioengineering. The study found that it's possible, though inconsistent, to regenerate a complete follicle from parts of a full follicle. The follicular papilla can induce a new hair follicle when implanted close to a receptive epithelium. The research also explored "hair cloning" from dissociated cells, concluding it as a promising opportunity, but complex and requiring further research. The study found that dissociated trichogenic cells can generate fully mature follicles that behave like natural follicles. Preliminary work with human cells showed promise for clinical applications. However, the exact process of how new hairs form, particularly in male pattern balding scalp, remained uncertain. The document also referenced various studies related to hair follicle regeneration and the potential of stem cells in this process.

View this study on tandfonline.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

39 / 39 results

research Characterization and Isolation of Stem Cell-Enriched Human Hair Follicle Bulge Cells

550 citations , December 2005 in “The Journal of clinical investigation/The journal of clinical investigation”

This study found that bulge cells marked by CD200+ in human hair follicles show high colony-forming efficiency, suggesting successful enrichment of keratinocyte stem cells.

research Implanted Hair Follicle Stem Cells Form Schwann Cells That Support Repair of Severed Peripheral Nerves

319 citations , November 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences”

This study suggests that hair follicle stem cells from transgenic mice can improve nerve regeneration and function, highlighting their potential as an autologous source for regenerative medicine.

research Stem Cells in the Hair Follicle Bulge Contribute to Wound Repair but Not to Homeostasis of the Epidermis

1279 citations , November 2005 in “Nature Medicine”

research Long-Term Renewal of Hair Follicles from Clonogenic Multipotent Stem Cells

291 citations , October 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

This study found that rat whisker follicle stem cells can be expanded in culture and transplanted to form functional hair follicles, demonstrating their multipotency and potential for regenerative medicine.

research Molecular Dissection of Mesenchymal–Epithelial Interactions in the Hair Follicle

417 citations , September 2005 in “PLoS biology”

This study developed molecular signatures for dermal papilla cells and their niche, uncovering novel signaling regulators and genes linked to hair disorders, which may inform future hair development research.

research Expression Profiling and Cellular Localization of Genes Associated with the Hair Cycle Induced by Wax Depilation

27 citations , August 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This study identified 12 new genes associated with the hair follicle and various stages of the hair cycle in mice, which could lead to novel targets for hair growth or depilation therapies.

research Reorganization of Hair Follicles in Human Skin Organ Culture Induced by Cultured Human Follicle-Derived Cells

56 citations , July 2005 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that hair follicle-derived cells can induce hair follicle formation in an in vitro skin organ culture system using human retroauricular skin specimens.

research Genetic Variation in the Human Androgen Receptor Gene Is the Major Determinant of Common Early-Onset Androgenetic Alopecia

195 citations , June 2005 in “American Journal of Human Genetics”

Genetic variation in the androgen receptor gene mainly causes early-onset hair loss, with maternal inheritance playing a key role.

research Organogenesis From Dissociated Cells: Generation of Mature Cycling Hair Follicles From Skin-Derived Cells

205 citations , April 2005 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study describes a system for generating hair follicles from dissociated cells in mice, suggesting that successful development requires a foundational epithelial platform.

research Keratins of the Human Hair Follicle

276 citations , January 2005 in “International review of cytology”

More research is needed to understand how hair keratins work and their role in hair disorders.

research Transformation of Amnion Epithelium into Skin and Hair Follicles

33 citations , December 2004 in “Differentiation”

In this study, mouse amnion epithelium was successfully transformed into skin and hair follicles when associated with hair-forming dermis, revealing the necessity of specific influences for follicle formation.

research Follicular Cell Implantation: An Update on Hair Follicle Cloning

15 citations , May 2004 in “Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America”

This article discusses follicular cell implantation as a potential solution for hair restoration limitations, but notes inconsistencies and challenges in human applications, reporting no new clinical results.

research Transdifferentiation of Corneal Epithelium: Evidence for a Linkage Between the Segregation of Epidermal Stem Cells and the Induction of Hair Follicles During Embryogenesis

55 citations , January 2004 in “The International Journal of Developmental Biology”

This study reports that corneal transient amplifying cells can be reprogrammed into epidermal cells capable of forming hair follicles in response to embryonic dermis signals.

research Cell Movement in the Hair Follicle Dermis: More Than a Two-Way Street?

47 citations , December 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

DS cells in hair follicles can help form and restore hair, especially in hair loss conditions.

research Hair Follicle Dermal Cells Differentiate Into Adipogenic and Osteogenic Lineages

268 citations , December 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that clonal dermal papilla and dermal sheath cell lines from hair follicles can differentiate into lipid and bone cells, suggesting their potential as a stem cell source for tissue engineering.

Cultured Peribulbar Dermal Sheath Cells Can Induce Hair Follicle Development and Contribute to the Dermal Sheath and Dermal Papilla

research Cultured Peribulbar Dermal Sheath Cells Can Induce Hair Follicle Development and Contribute to the Dermal Sheath and Dermal Papilla

208 citations , December 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that dermal papilla and peribulbar dermal sheath cup cells in mice can both induce hair follicle formation, suggesting they may have similar functional roles in hair growth.

research Molecular Biology of Hair Morphogenesis: Development and Cycling

155 citations , August 2003 in “Journal Of Experimental Zoology Part B: Molecular And Developmental Evolution”

This review discusses the conserved molecular mechanisms controlling hair follicle development and cycling and suggests they may also apply to other ectodermal derivatives, like teeth and feathers, but it reports no new results.

research Plasticity and Cytokinetic Dynamics of the Hair Follicle Mesenchyme: Implications for Hair Growth Control

158 citations , May 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study observed that hair follicle mesenchyme in mice exhibits significant plasticity during the hair cycle, with cell migration and changes in papilla size impacting hair production.

research Regeneration of a New Hair Follicle from the Upper Half of a Human Hair Follicle in a Nude Mouse

13 citations , October 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that only one upper portion of a bisected human hair follicle successfully regenerated a complete new follicle with a pigmented hair in nude mice, although the overall success rate was very low.

research Exogen, Shedding Phase of the Hair Growth Cycle: Characterization of a Mouse Model

107 citations , September 2002 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study identified a distinct "exogen" phase in the hair cycle during which hair shedding occurs, primarily coupled with the anagen phase, rather than as part of the telogen phase.

research Molecular Mechanisms Regulating Hair Follicle Development

854 citations , February 2002 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

This review summarizes recent advances in understanding the molecular mechanisms of hair follicle formation and discusses potential future clinical applications for treating hair loss and skin tumors, but it reports no new clinical results.

research A Simple In Vivo System for Studying Epithelialization, Hair Follicle Formation, and Invasion Using Primary Epidermal Cells from Wild-Type and Transgenic Ornithine Decarboxylase-Overexpressing Mouse Skin

13 citations , December 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that the tracheal xenotransplant procedure is an effective technique for assessing the invasiveness of epidermal keratinocytes and studying factors affecting hair follicle formation.

research Histologic Study of the Regeneration Process of Human Hair Follicles Grafted onto SCID Mice after Bulb Amputation

19 citations , November 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology Symposium Proceedings”

This study observed that human hair follicles with a completely destroyed bulb can regenerate after being grafted onto immunodeficient mice, entering a shortened dystrophic telogen followed by anagen phase.

research Possible Mechanisms of Miniaturization During Androgenetic Alopecia or Pattern Hair Loss

116 citations , September 2001 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

This study suggests that miniaturization in pattern hair loss may occur abruptly and can be reversed with treatment, as supported by histologic evidence in finasteride-responsive patients.

research Trans-Species Hair Growth Induction by Human Hair Follicle Dermal Papillae

66 citations , August 2001 in “Experimental Dermatology”

This study demonstrated that intact adult human dermal papillae can induce hair growth when implanted into mouse hair follicles, highlighting their potential for advancing hair follicle biology and therapeutic approaches.

research Polymorphism of the Androgen Receptor Gene Is Associated with Male Pattern Baldness

299 citations , March 2001 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that specific genetic markers near the androgen receptor gene are significantly more common in men with male pattern baldness, suggesting a genetic component in its development.

research Morphogenesis and Renewal of Hair Follicles from Adult Multipotent Stem Cells

949 citations , January 2001 in “Cell”

This study demonstrated that multipotent stem cells in adult mice whisker follicles migrate to produce whisker growth, and that this process requires precise control of stem cell trafficking.

research Histologic and Cell Kinetic Studies of Hair Loss and Subsequent Recovery Process of Human Scalp Hair Follicles Grafted onto Severe Combined Immunodeficient Mice

31 citations , August 2000 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study found that when human hair follicles were grafted onto mice, they progressed through dystrophic stages and returned to normal growth, with stem cells aiding in recovery.

research Involvement of Follicular Stem Cells in Forming Not Only the Follicle but Also the Epidermis

1010 citations , August 2000 in “Cell”

In this study, researchers found that hair follicle stem cells in mice can generate both hair follicle and epidermis cells, highlighting their potential bipotency.

research Female Androgenetic Alopecia: A Separate Entity

50 citations , July 2000 in “Dermatologic Surgery”

Female and male AGA are different diseases.

research The Biology of Hair Follicles

1113 citations , August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine”

This article discusses the biologic and psychosocial significance of hair, the current limitations in hair growth drugs, and anticipates future therapies based on advancing hair follicle research.

research Molecular Histology in Skin Appendage Morphogenesis

57 citations , August 1997 in “Microscopy Research and Technique”

This review discusses novel molecular techniques in skin appendage research and summarizes the distribution of key molecules, but it reports no new experimental results.

research Human Hair Follicle Regeneration Following Amputation and Grafting into the Nude Mouse

72 citations , December 1996 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

This study observed that human hair follicles were able to regenerate fiber-forming structures after the bulb was amputated and transplanted onto athymic mice, suggesting a general regenerative capacity.

research The Upper Dermal Sheath Has Potential to Regenerate Hair in Rat Follicular Epidermis

31 citations , September 1996 in “Differentiation”

This study claims that the upper dermal sheath of rat vibrissa follicles can induce hair growth under specific conditions, challenging prior beliefs about its lack of inductive capacity.

research Androgenetic Alopecia: An Autosomal Dominant Disorder

80 citations , January 1995 in “The American Journal of Medicine”

Hair loss in androgenetic alopecia is caused by genetic factors and androgen excess, and can be treated with combined therapies.

research Induction of Follicle Formation and Hair Growth by Vibrissa Dermal Papillae Implanted into Rat Ear Wounds: Vibrissa-Type Fibres Are Specified

125 citations , August 1992 in “Development”

This study found that implanting isolated adult rat dermal papillae into ear cuts led to the emergence of unusually large vibrissa-type hair follicles, demonstrating their capacity to induce specific hair fiber characteristics.

research Cultured Dermal Papilla Cells From Androgen-Dependent Human Hair Follicles Contain More Androgen Receptors Than Those From Non-Balding Areas Of Scalp

124 citations , April 1992 in “Journal of Endocrinology/Journal of endocrinology”

This study observed that cells from androgen-sensitive areas like the beard and scrotum showed higher androgen receptor levels compared to those from non-balding scalp areas, supporting the role of dermal papilla in follicle growth responses to androgens.

research Cultivation of Murine Hair Follicles as Organoids in a Collagen Matrix

87 citations , October 1987 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

research Classification of the Types of Androgenetic Alopecia (Common Baldness) Occurring in the Female Sex

666 citations , September 1977 in “British Journal of Dermatology”

This article presents a classification system for stages of female-pattern androgenetic alopecia to aid early diagnosis and mentions existing systems for rare male-pattern cases, but reports no new clinical results.