Comparative Characterization of Hair Follicle Dermal Stem Cells and Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stem Cells

The study compared hair follicle-derived dermal stem cells with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from Wistar rats. Both cell types exhibited similar fibroblastic morphology, population doubling time, and cell-surface markers (CD44+, CD73+, CD90+, CD34–). They demonstrated the ability to differentiate into various mesenchymal lineages, such as osteoblasts, adipocytes, chondrocytes, and myocytes, and expressed neuroprogenitor cell markers. The differentiation rate and extent were similar for both cell types, while interfollicular dermal cells did not differentiate. Telomerase activity and clonal expansion capability were identified in both cell types. The study suggested that hair follicles could be a suitable and accessible source for MSCs due to the presence of putative dermal stem cells in the dermal sheath and dermal papillae.