Experimental Approaches for the Reconstitution of Hair In Vitro

The study explored the role of dermal papillae in hair growth using in vitro cultures. It was found that outer root sheath cells (ORSCs) grew more actively when cultured with dermal papillae, suggesting the presence of papilla-derived factors that stimulate ORSC growth. Additionally, epithelial cells from the bulb matrix grew towards implanted dermal papillae, indicating that dermal papillae might produce factors that attract these cells. When the dermal papilla remained attached to the hair bulb matrix, hair and follicle elongation continued for over a week. However, detachment or damage to the papilla-matrix junction suppressed hair and follicle growth, highlighting the importance of this attachment for normal development.