Multipotent Nestin-Expressing Stem Cells Capable of Forming Neurons Are Located in the Upper, Middle, and Lower Part of the Vibrissa Hair Follicle

The study found that multipotent nestin-expressing stem cells were present throughout the vibrissa hair follicle in mice, with the upper part showing the highest potential for differentiation into neurons and other cell types. These stem cells were CD34-positive and keratin 15-negative, and cells from the upper follicle formed spheres in culture that differentiated into various cell types, including neurons. The research suggested that the upper follicle could be a valuable source of stem cells for nerve and spinal cord repair, indicating potential applications in regenerative medicine. The study was supported by Japanese grants, with no conflicts of interest reported.