Co-Culture of Human Hair Follicles and Dermal Papillae in a Collagen Matrix

The study investigated the co-culture of human hair follicles and dermal papillae in a collagen matrix. It was found that when hair follicles were cultured alone, outer root sheath cells formed spike-like structures. However, when dermal papillae were present, these spikes grew more rapidly and elongated towards the papillae, suggesting that dermal papilla cells produce factors that enhance and attract follicular epithelial cell growth. In whole excised follicles, normal hair shaft and follicle elongation occurred when the dermal papilla remained attached to the hair bulb matrix. Conversely, when detached, epithelial cells proliferated to form hair follicle-like structures. This model was considered useful for studying the interaction between follicular epithelial cells and dermal papillae, as well as hair and follicle growth in vitro.