Human Hair-Follicle Associated Pluripotent (HAP) Stem Cells Differentiate to Cardiac Muscle Cells

The study demonstrated that human hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells, which are nestin-positive and keratin 15-negative, could differentiate into various cell types, including cardiac muscle cells, neurons, glial cells, keratinocytes, and smooth muscle cells in vitro. The upper part of the human hair follicle showed the highest potential for differentiation. These findings suggested that human hair follicles could be a viable source for producing HAP cells in sufficient quantities for clinical applications in heart, nerve, and spinal cord regeneration.