TLDR Hair follicle stem cells could help repair nerves and avoid ethical issues linked to embryonic stem cells.
The 2007 document highlights the discovery that hair follicle bulge area contains pluripotent adult stem cells expressing nestin and CD34, which can differentiate into various cell types such as neurons, glia, and smooth muscle cells. These stem cells have been successfully used in vivo to promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery in mice with severed sciatic or tibial nerves, by differentiating primarily into Schwann cells. The findings suggest that hair follicle stem cells could serve as a valuable source for autologous stem cell therapy for peripheral nerve injuries, offering a solution without the ethical concerns of embryonic stem cells. While the potential for hair restoration is mentioned, it is not the main focus of the document.
319 citations
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November 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair follicle stem cells can help repair damaged nerves.
419 citations
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March 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair-follicle stem cells can become neurons.
212 citations
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August 2004 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair follicle cells can create new blood vessels in the skin.
268 citations
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December 2003 in “Experimental Dermatology” Hair follicle cells can become fat and bone cells.
387 citations
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November 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” The K15 promoter effectively targets stem cells in the hair follicle bulge.
352 citations
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August 2003 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Nestin is found in hair follicle progenitor cells, linking them to neural stem cells.
561 citations
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April 2003 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” 949 citations
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January 2001 in “Cell” Adult mouse skin contains stem cells that can create new hair, skin, and oil glands.
1010 citations
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August 2000 in “Cell” Hair follicle stem cells can form both hair follicles and skin.
198 citations
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March 1999 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”
1 citations
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January 2008 in “Springer eBooks” Hair follicle stem cells can turn into many cell types and may help repair nerve damage and have other medical uses.
50 citations
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February 2007 in “Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy” Hair follicle stem cells could help repair nerves and avoid ethical issues linked to embryonic stem cells.
419 citations
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March 2005 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences” Hair-follicle stem cells can become neurons.