Dissociated Skin Cells Regenerate Hair Follicles in a Microwound: The Punch Assay
July 2018
in “
Experimental Dermatology
”
Punch Assay dissociated skin progenitor cells neonatal mice human fetal scalp tissues microwound punch biopsies immunodeficient mice pigmented mouse hairs reconstituted human skin hair follicles histology differentiation hair regeneration skin progenitor cells mouse hairs human scalp tissues microwound biopsies
TLDR The "Punch Assay" can regenerate hair follicles efficiently in mice and has potential for human hair regeneration.
In the 2018 study, researchers developed the "Punch Assay," a new method for regenerating hair follicles using dissociated skin progenitor cells from neonatal mice and human fetal scalp tissues. The cells were transplanted into microwound punch biopsies on immunodeficient mice, resulting in efficient formation of pigmented mouse hairs within 3 weeks when mouse cells were used. However, human cells did not form hair on mouse skin but did form follicles on reconstituted human skin with low efficiency. The regenerated follicles displayed normal histology and differentiation, and the assay proved to be simpler and more efficient than existing methods. The study concluded that the Punch Assay has potential for future clinical applications in hair regeneration.
