The Hair Follicle Stem Cell As The Paradigm Multipotent Adult Stem Cell

In the 2008 study, Robert M. Hoffman demonstrated that hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are a multipotent and accessible source of adult stem cells, capable of differentiating into a variety of cell types such as neurons, glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, and melanocytes. These cells, identifiable by CD34 and nestin expression but not keratin 15, were able to form blood vessels and neural tissue in vivo and promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery when transplanted into severed peripheral nerves in nude mice, primarily differentiating into Schwann cells. This research suggests that HFSCs could be a valuable autologous stem cell source for peripheral nerve injury treatment and potentially for broader regenerative medicine applications.