Human iPS Cell-Derived Cell Aggregates Exhibited Dermal Papilla Cell Properties in In Vitro Three-Dimensional Assemblage Mimicking Hair Follicle Structures

The study demonstrated that human induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells can be used to create cell aggregates that mimic the properties of dermal papilla cells, crucial for hair growth. The researchers created structures resembling natural hair follicles using a three-dimensional in vitro assemblage. After a 2-week culture, structures visually mimicking hair follicles were obtained, partially reproducing hair follicle microanatomy and demonstrating differential keratin expression patterns. The study suggests the possibility of regenerating dermal papilla equivalents with in vitro hair-inductive capacity using human-induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cell composites. This could potentially reduce the necessity of human tissue-derived trichogenic cell subset and allow xeno-free bioengineering of human hair follicles, offering new potential treatments for hair loss and alopecia.