Melanocyte Chitosan/Gelatin Composite Fabrication with Human Outer Root Sheath-Derived Cells to Produce Pigment

March 2019 in “ Scientific Reports ”

Xianyu Zhou, Yan Ma, Fei Liu, Chuan Gu, Xiuxia Wang, Huitang Xia, Guangdong Zhou, Jinny Huang, Xusong Luo, Jun Yang

melanocyte stem cells MelSCs human hair follicles side population technique mRNA expression melanosome structure differentiated melanocytes cell-chitosan/gelatin composite immunocompromised mice pigmentary disorders hair follicles SP technique pigmentation

Studysummary This study reports that the side population technique can isolate melanocyte stem cells from human hair follicles, potentially allowing them to be used for skin pigmentation repopulation.

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The study explored the isolation of melanocyte stem cells (MelSCs) from human hair follicles using the "side population" technique, which is commonly applied to hematopoietic and tumor stem cells. The researchers analyzed mRNA expression and melanosome structure, confirming that the isolated SP-fraction contained MelSCs along with differentiated melanocytes. These cells were then used to create a cell-chitosan/gelatin composite, which successfully repopulated the skin of immunocompromised mice, leading to regained pigmentation. This indicated that the SP technique could effectively isolate MelSCs for potential use in treating pigmentary disorders.

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