Human Hair Keratin-Based Hydrogels in Regenerative Medicine: Current Status and Future Directions

September 2023 in “ ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering ”

Mymuna Ashna, Neeharika Senthilkumar, Pallab Sanpui

regenerative medicine biomaterial scaffold hydrogels synthetic polymers biopolymers tissue engineering keratins fibrous proteins human hair keratin

TLDR Human hair keratin hydrogels show promise for use in regenerative medicine.

Regenerative medicine (RM) uses the regenerative potential of human cells to create functional human cells, tissues, and organs. A key component of RM is a biomaterial scaffold with the right physicochemical properties. Hydrogels, which can be made from synthetic polymers or biopolymers, have become a popular choice for tissue engineering and RM applications. They can be used as scaffolds for spatial patterning, delivering therapeutic agents, or substrates to enhance cell growth, differentiation, and migration. Biopolymers are preferred for their biocompatibility. Keratins, fibrous proteins, have recently been used to construct hydrogels for RM. This review focuses on the use of human hair keratin hydrogels in various RM applications.

View this study on pubs.acs.org →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Research cited in this study

10 / 10 results

research Effect of Varied Hair Protein Fractions on the Gel Properties of Keratin/Chitosan Hydrogels for Use in Tissue Engineering

41 citations, November 2020 in “Colloids and surfaces. B, Biointerfaces”

Different hair protein amounts change the strength of keratin/chitosan gels, useful for making predictable tissue engineering materials.

research Homo- and Heteropolymer Self-Assembly of Recombinant Trichocytic Keratins

13 citations, July 2017 in “Biopolymers”

Recombinant keratins can form useful structures for medical applications, overcoming natural keratin limitations.

research Alkylation of Human Hair Keratin for Tunable Hydrogel Erosion and Drug Delivery in Tissue Engineering Applications

75 citations, September 2015 in “Acta biomaterialia”

Alkylation of human hair keratin allows for adjustable drug release rates in hydrogels for medical use.

research Treatment of a Spinal Cord Hemitransection Injury with Keratin Biomaterial Hydrogel Elicits Recovery and Tissue Repair

7 citations, March 2014 in “ISRN Biomaterials”

Keratin hydrogel from human hair helps rats recover better from spinal cord injuries.

research In Vitro Assembly Properties of Human Type I and II Hair Keratins

12 citations, January 2014 in “Cell structure and function”

Different combinations of human hair keratins affect how hair fibers form.

research Hemostatic Properties and the Role of Cell Receptor Recognition in Human Hair Keratin Protein Hydrogels

118 citations, January 2013 in “Biomaterials”

Keratin from human hair shows promise for medical uses like wound healing and tissue engineering.

research Mechanical and Biological Properties of Keratose Biomaterials

140 citations, August 2011 in “Biomaterials”

Keratose, derived from human hair, is a non-toxic biomaterial good for tissue regeneration and integrates well with body tissues.

research Keratin Hydrogels Support the Sustained Release of Bioactive Ciprofloxacin

99 citations, June 2011 in “Journal of biomedical materials research. Part A”

Keratin hydrogels can slowly release effective ciprofloxacin to prevent infections.

research A Review of Keratin-Based Biomaterials for Biomedical Applications

517 citations, February 2010 in “Materials”

Keratin from hair and wool is used in medical materials for healing and drug delivery.

research The Use of Keratin Biomaterials Derived from Human Hair for the Promotion of Rapid Regeneration of Peripheral Nerves

309 citations, October 2007 in “Biomaterials”

Keratin from human hair helps nerves heal faster.

Related Community Posts Join

6 / 238 results

community Verteporfin and Microneedling

in Treatments 7 months ago

Clinical studies by Dr. Barghouthi and Dr. Bloxham indicate that Verteporfin, when used with FUE and FUT hair transplantation methods, shows promise in hair follicle regeneration and minimal scarring due to its ability to inhibit Yes-associated protein (YAP). Microneedling at depths of 3-3.5mm, combined with Verteporfin, could potentially reactivate dormant follicles, although the optimal dosage and application method are still under investigation. Concerns remain about the DHT sensitivity of regenerated follicles, highlighting the need for further research to optimize trauma levels and Verteporfin concentrations to achieve effective and scar-free hair regeneration.

community Has anyone else seen this encouraging verteporfin case study?

in Progress Pictures 37 upvotes 1 year ago

The conversation discusses the potential use of verteporfin for hair loss treatment, with one user mentioning their surgeon's interest in trying it and another noting its research status and clinical use as a YAP inhibitor. Some users debate the market size, availability of generics, and the optimism in the hair loss community regarding new treatments.

community PP405 Drug in Action: Picture From Official Company Website

in Technology 770 upvotes 3 weeks ago

PP405 shows promise for hair follicle reactivation with minimal side effects. Users recommend continuing Minoxidil and Finasteride until more results are confirmed.

community Why isn’t anyone talking about this?

in Research/Science 31 upvotes 11 months ago

Hair cloning is being developed by companies like Kangstem Biotech and Stemson, with potential availability in a few years. Initial costs are expected to be high, but prices may decrease over time.

community New and Interesting HairLoss Studies/Papers/Reviews

in Treatment 41 upvotes 5 years ago

Hair loss treatments discussed include Dutasteride with Ketoconazole, tissue engineering strategies, and androgenetic alopecia therapies. Massage doubles follicular retention, improving treatment effectiveness.

community Wouldn’t it be funny if there already was a drug that existed which reactivated sleeping follicles? It would be our own version of Ozempic

in Research/Science 204 upvotes 3 weeks ago

PP405 shows promise for reactivating hair follicles, with potential maintenance using 5AR inhibitors. Current treatments like Minoxidil and finasteride are effective but have limitations, and there is hope for more effective solutions in the future.

Similar Research

5 / 1000+ results

research The Pharmacology of Regenerative Medicine

47 citations, July 2013 in “Pharmacological Reviews”

Regenerative pharmacology, which combines drugs with regenerative medicine, shows promise for repairing damaged body parts and needs more interdisciplinary research.

research Advanced Polymer Hydrogels That Promote Diabetic Ulcer Healing: Mechanisms, Classifications, and Medical Applications

6 citations, February 2023 in “Biomaterials Research”

Special gels help heal diabetic foot sores and reduce the risk of amputation or death.

research Hydrogel-Mediated Extracellular Vesicles for Enhanced Wound Healing: The Latest Progress and Their Prospects for 3D Bioprinting

1 citations, February 2024 in “Journal of nanobiotechnology”

Hydrogels combined with extracellular vesicles and 3D bioprinting improve wound healing.

research Recent Tissue Engineering Approaches to Mimicking the Extracellular Matrix Structure for Skin Regeneration

9 citations, March 2023 in “Biomimetics”

New materials that better mimic natural skin structure could improve healing, especially for chronic wounds.

research A Concise Review on Tissue Engineered Artificial Skin Grafts for Chronic Wound Treatment: Can We Reconstruct Functional Skin Tissue In Vitro?

133 citations, July 2020 in “Cells”

Creating fully functional artificial skin for chronic wounds is still very challenging.