TLDR Hair follicle stem cells need all reprogramming factors to become pluripotent.
The study investigated the potential of hair follicle bulge neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) to be reprogrammed into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with fewer exogenous factors due to their endogenous expression of pluripotency genes. Despite confirming the presence of these genes, the results showed that hair follicle bulge NCSCs still required a full set of reprogramming factors to induce pluripotency, achieving efficiencies similar to fibroblasts. The conclusion was that high endogenous levels of pluripotency factors did not necessarily facilitate easier induction of pluripotency.
165 citations,
June 2007 in “European Journal of Cell Biology” Hair follicle stem cells are key for hair and skin regeneration, can be reprogrammed, and have potential therapeutic uses, but also carry a risk of cancer.
27 citations,
September 2018 in “Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine” Further research is needed to improve hair regeneration using stem cells and nanomaterials.
February 2020 in “Journal of chemical neuroanatomy” Researchers found a way to make rat hair follicle cells start turning into motor neuron-like cells, but couldn't fully turn them into working motor neurons.
25 citations,
November 2017 in “Molecular Medicine Reports” PlncRNA-1 helps hair follicle stem cells grow and develop by controlling a specific cell signaling pathway.
65 citations,
November 2012 in “Tissue Engineering Part B-reviews” Hair follicle stem cells are a promising source for tissue repair and treating skin or hair diseases.
3 citations,
May 2013 in “International journal of molecular sciences” Epidermal stem cells show promise for treating orthopedic injuries and diseases.
