Biological Activity and Hair Inducing Function of Biomimetic Dermal Papilla Spheres Prepared by Hanging Drops of Methacrylate Gelatin

The study investigated the biological activity and hair-inducing function of biomimetic dermal papilla spheres (DPSs) prepared using a GelMA-based hanging drop method. Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) from mice were cultured to form DPSs, which were then tested for their ability to induce hair growth in nude mice. Results showed that DPSs maintained good cell viability and had gene expression profiles similar to primary DPCs, unlike the 8th passage DPCs. Two weeks post-injection, mice injected with DPSs or primary DPCs showed significant hair regeneration, whereas those injected with 8th passage DPCs did not. This suggests that the biomimetic DPSs can restore the hair-inducing ability of high-passage DPCs, making them a promising tool for hair regeneration therapies.