Hair Follicle Dermal Stem Cells and Skin-Derived Precursor Cells: Exciting Tools for Endogenous and Exogenous Therapies

April 2017 in “ Experimental Dermatology ”

Natacha A. Agabalyan, Nicole L. Rosin, Waleed Rahmani, Jeff Biernaskie

TLDR Hair follicle stem cells and skin cells show promise for hair and skin therapies but need more research for clinical use.

The document from 2017 explores the potential of hair follicle dermal stem cells (hfDSCs) and skin-derived precursor cells (SKPs) in hair follicle regeneration and their use in therapies for hair loss and skin diseases. It highlights the role of hfDSCs in replenishing the dermal papilla (DP) and connective tissue sheath (CTS), which are crucial for hair growth, and suggests that these cells could be used to repopulate the DP to treat hair loss. The authors also discuss the importance of the transcription factor Sox2 in maintaining hfDSC plasticity and call for a redefinition of SKPs based on functional characteristics. They conclude that hfDSCs and SKPs hold promise for restorative therapies, particularly hfDSCs for their unique ability to reconstitute HF mesenchyme and induce hair growth, but emphasize the need for further research to advance clinical applications.

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Research cited in this study

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research SKPs Derive from Hair Follicle Precursors and Exhibit Properties of Adult Dermal Stem Cells

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research Cultured Peribulbar Dermal Sheath Cells Can Induce Hair Follicle Development and Contribute to the Dermal Sheath and Dermal Papilla

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