Isolation and Cultivation of Skin-Derived Precursors

The document describes a protocol for isolating and cultivating skin-derived precursors (SKPs), which have been shown to induce hair genesis and hair follicle regeneration. The method involves collecting human skin tissues, sterilizing them, and then separating the dermis from the epidermis. The dermis is then cut into small pieces, treated with enzymes like collagenase I and dispase II, and filtered to obtain a cell suspension. These cells are then cultured in a specific growth medium containing factors such as bFGF and EGF, which are added twice a week. The cells grow as spheres in suspension and are split when they reach a certain size. The protocol also includes steps for passaging the cells and maintaining them in culture. This method suggests a potential application for SKPs in hair genesis and skin bioengineering.