Optogenetically Controlled TrkA Activity Improves the Regenerative Capacity of Hair-Follicle-Derived Stem Cells to Differentiate into Neurons and Glia

The study demonstrated that hair-follicle-derived stem cells (HSCs) from the mouse vibrissa hair follicle could differentiate into neuronal and glial cells, with the TrkA receptor playing a crucial role in this process. By introducing the OptoTrkA system, which activates TrkA via blue-light illumination, researchers found that TrkA signaling enhanced the proliferation, migration, and differentiation of HSCs into neural cells. The ability to precisely control TrkA activity with optogenetics suggested a promising strategy for neuron regeneration and potential clinical applications in cell-transplantation therapy.