The Hair Follicle Bulge: A Niche for Adult Stem Cells
July 2011
in “
Microscopy and Microanalysis
”
TLDR The hair follicle bulge is an important area for adult stem cells involved in hair growth and repair, with potential for medical use needing more research.
The 2011 document highlights the hair follicle bulge as a critical niche for adult stem cells in mice, emphasizing its role in hair follicle growth and regeneration. It details the identification of label-retaining cells (LRCs) in the bulge, the use of fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to isolate bulge cells, and the confirmation of their stem cell functionality through grafting and lineage tracing experiments. The study also found that outer root sheath (ORS) cells are involved in the formation of a new bulge and hair germ, with the K6+ layer playing a role in anchoring the hair shaft and maintaining stem cell quiescence. The document concludes that while the use of hair follicle stem cells for medical applications holds promise, further research is necessary to fully understand their regulation and potential.
