Nestin-Positive Hair Follicle Pluripotent Stem Cells Can Promote Regeneration of Impinged Peripheral Nerve Injury

The study demonstrated that nestin-positive, keratin 15-negative multipotent hair follicle stem cells, located above the hair follicle bulge, could regenerate impinged sciatic nerve injuries in ICR nude mice. These human hair follicle stem cells were transplanted around the injured nerve, where they differentiated into Schwann cells and facilitated the recovery of existing axons, leading to functional recovery of the sciatic nerve. This suggested that these stem cells could serve as an accessible, autologous source for nerve regeneration therapy in cases of nerve compression.