Differentiation of Nestin-Negative Human Hair Follicle Outer Root Sheath Cells Into Neurons In Vitro

In the 2017 study, researchers investigated the potential of nestin-negative human hair follicle outer root sheath cells (ORSCs) to differentiate into neurons in vitro. They found that nestin-positive ORSCs decreased and disappeared after prolonged culture. However, when subjected to a three-step neuro-induction process, nestin was re-expressed in the ORSCs, and the cells began to form spheres expressing neural stem cell markers, such as growth associated protein-43, neurotensin receptor-3, and p75 neurotrophin receptor, as well as gliocyte markers like glial fibrillary acidic protein and S100. These sphere-forming cells did not express mature neuron markers, suggesting they may differentiate into neural stem cell-like cells rather than mature neurons or neurogliocytes. The study concluded that ORSC-driven neural differentiation could be a promising approach for treating neurodegenerative diseases and have significant value in regenerative medicine.