Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Dermal Papilla Cells via Small Molecules

April 2022 in “ International Journal of Molecular Sciences ”

Yihe Ma, Yumiao Lin, Wenting Huang, Xusheng Wang

dermal papilla cells DPC-LCs TTNPB CHIR99021 Forskolin hair-inducing capacity fibroblasts alopecia

Studysummary This study showed that treating mouse fibroblasts with TTNPB can efficiently convert them into dermal-papilla-cell-like cells with strong hair-inducing capacity, suggesting potential for hair follicle regeneration therapies.

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The study demonstrated that mouse fibroblasts can be reprogrammed into dermal papilla-like cells (DPC-LCs) using small molecules, specifically TTNPB or a cocktail of CHIR99021, TTNPB, and Forskolin. These DPC-LCs showed a strong hair-inducing capacity. The transformation was successful in two types of mouse fibroblasts and resulted in the cells acquiring dermal papilla cell features. However, the DPC-LCs did not induce the formation of hair with a complete structure, indicating a difference between the DPC-LCs and real dermal papilla cells. This research could potentially contribute to the development of treatments for hair loss and alopecia, but further research is needed to fully understand and validate this chemical induction strategy.

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