Ex Vivo Organ Culture of Human Hair Follicles: A Model Epithelial–Neuroectodermal–Mesenchymal Interaction System

The development of hair follicle organ culture techniques marked a significant advancement in cutaneous biology research. The hair follicle, or pilo-sebaceous unit, served as a comprehensive model for studying various physiological processes such as controlled cell growth and death, cell differentiation, and hormone responsiveness. This model, pioneered by Philpott and colleagues, allowed for the examination of interactions between epithelial, mesenchymal, and neuroectodermal cells in a three-dimensional context. It also enabled the assessment of the effects of natural and pharmacologic agents on tissue growth. The article discussed the practical aspects and potential research applications of this human hair follicle mini-organ culture system.