TLDR Hair follicle stem cells can form both hair follicles and skin.
The study from August 2000 demonstrated that follicular stem cells in the bulge region of hair follicles were bipotent, contributing to both hair follicle and epidermis formation. Using double-labeling techniques, researchers observed that upper follicular keratinocytes migrated into the epidermis in both newborn and adult mice, especially during wound repair. This indicated that hair follicles were a significant source of keratinocyte stem cells, highlighting their role in skin regeneration and the potential origin of certain skin tumors. The findings suggested that these stem cells could be crucial for skin repair and maintenance, with implications for therapeutic applications.
28 citations,
February 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Urokinase, a type of protein, helps skin cells multiply faster, especially in newborn mice.
130 citations,
January 1994 in “Differentiation” Mouse hair follicle cells briefly grow during the early hair growth phase, showing that these cells are important for starting the hair cycle.
745 citations,
February 1992 in “Trends in genetics” Hair follicles create different cell layers and proteins, controlled by various molecules.
16 citations,
December 2006 in “Expert Review of Dermatology” Hair follicles are essential for skin health, aiding in hair growth, wound healing, and immune function.
January 2017 in “Springer eBooks” Scientists made working hair follicles using stem cells, helping future hair loss treatments.
7 citations,
September 2017 in “Scientific Reports” Mice with too much sPLA₂-IIA have hair loss and poor wound healing due to abnormal hair growth and stem cell depletion.
71 citations,
February 2020 in “Journal of Translational Medicine” Progress has been made in skin and nerve regeneration, but more research is needed to improve methods and ensure safety.
98 citations,
December 2003 in “The FASEB Journal” Thymosin β4 promotes hair growth by activating stem cells in hair follicles.
