TLDR Hair follicle stem cells can help repair nerve and spinal cord injuries.
Researchers discovered that nestin-expressing stem cells from hair follicles, termed hair follicle-accessible pluripotent (HAP) stem cells, could differentiate into neuronal and glial cells, aiding in the repair of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries. These cells enhanced injury repair and locomotor recovery when transplanted. In 3D Gelfoam® histoculture, HAP stem cells facilitated the growth and elongation of hair follicle nerves, interacting with other nerves such as the sciatic and trigeminal nerves. HAP stem cells were advantageous over embryonic and induced pluripotent stem cells due to their accessibility, lack of genetic manipulation, non-tumorigenic nature, and absence of ethical issues.
7 citations,
September 2013 in “Tissue engineering. Part A” Hair follicle stem cells can become motor neurons and reduce muscle loss after nerve injury.
330 citations,
December 2009 in “Cell stem cell” SKPs are similar to adult skin stem cells and could help in skin repair and hair growth.
80 citations,
September 2007 in “Cell Cycle” Stem cells in hair follicles can become various cell types, including neurons.
1113 citations,
August 1999 in “The New England Journal of Medicine” Hair follicle biology advancements may lead to better hair growth disorder treatments.
745 citations,
February 1992 in “Trends in genetics” Hair follicles create different cell layers and proteins, controlled by various molecules.
29 citations,
March 2016 in “Cell cycle/Cell cycle (Georgetown, Tex. Online)” Isoproterenol helps hair follicle stem cells turn into beating heart muscle cells.
7 citations,
December 2015 in “PloS one” Cryopreserved mouse whisker follicles can grow hair when transplanted into nude mice.
4 citations,
January 2016 in “Methods in molecular biology” Hair follicle stem cells can become nerve cells using specific treatments.
4 citations,
August 2015 in “PloS one” Transplanted whisker follicles caused long hair growth on the spinal cords of mice.
3 citations,
June 2017 in “International Journal of Radiation Biology” Gamma rays did not change hair follicle density but increased white and hypopigmented hairs in mice.