TLDR Stem cells in hair follicles can become neurons and other cells, especially in the upper part, useful for nerve repair.
The study demonstrated that multipotent, nestin-expressing stem cells were present throughout the vibrissa hair follicle, with the greatest differentiation potential in the upper part. These stem cells, identified using a transgenic mouse model, could differentiate into neurons, glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, and melanocytes. The upper part of the follicle produced a large number of spheres from nestin-expressing cells, which differentiated into various cell types, suggesting potential applications for nerve and spinal cord repair.
330 citations
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December 2009 in “Cell stem cell” SKPs are similar to adult skin stem cells and could help in skin repair and hair growth.
121 citations
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June 2009 in “Journal of Cellular Biochemistry” Human hair follicle stem cells can safely and effectively help nerve regeneration.
37 citations
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January 2009 in “The Journal of Dermatology” Hair follicle stem cells can turn into various cell types and help repair nerves.
144 citations
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June 2008 in “Cell Cycle” Hair follicle stem cells can help repair spinal cord injuries and improve walking.
80 citations
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September 2007 in “Cell Cycle” Stem cells in hair follicles can become various cell types, including neurons.
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.
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.
6 citations
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March 2011 in “European Journal of Dermatology” Nestin-positive cells are important for hair follicle regeneration in alopecia areata.