Methods for Optimized Cultivation of Hair Cells From C3H Mice

The study described methods for culturing hair cells from 4-day-old C3H mice, focusing on optimizing conditions for their growth. The process involved treating skin with dispase and collagenase to isolate hair roots, which were then dispersed into a cell suspension. Successful attachment and growth of hair cells were enhanced by serum concentration, collagen-coated dishes, and the use of MCDB 153 medium, which favored hair cells over dermal fibroblasts. A crude bovine pituitary extract significantly boosted hair cell growth. The cultured hair cells maintained functional integrity, expressing hair-specific cytoskeletal proteins, thus providing a model system for studying hair growth.