TLDR Hair follicle stem cells can become heart muscle cells.
The study showed that hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells from mouse vibrissa hair follicles could differentiate into beating cardiac muscle cells, with the upper follicle part having the highest differentiation potential. These cardiac cells exhibited functional properties by responding to isoproterenol and propranolol. HAP stem cells also differentiated into neurons, glial cells, keratinocytes, and smooth muscle cells, indicating their versatility for regenerative medicine, particularly in heart disease and nerve repair. The study emphasized the accessibility and cryopreservation potential of HAP stem cells, suggesting their promise for therapeutic applications.
32 citations
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January 2014 in “Cells tissues organs” Hair follicle stem cells can help repair nerve and spinal cord injuries.
144 citations
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June 2008 in “Cell Cycle” Hair follicle stem cells can help repair spinal cord injuries and improve walking.
45 citations
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July 2006 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Chemotherapy affects blood vessels in hair follicles, not stem cells, allowing hair regrowth.
344 citations
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June 2006 in “American Journal Of Pathology” 319 citations
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November 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair follicle stem cells can help repair damaged nerves.
419 citations
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March 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair-follicle stem cells can become neurons.
212 citations
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August 2004 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair follicle cells can create new blood vessels in the skin.
352 citations
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August 2003 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Nestin is found in hair follicle progenitor cells, linking them to neural stem cells.
6 citations
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March 2011 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Nestin-positive cells are important for hair follicle regeneration in alopecia areata.