Single Follicular Unit Transplantation Reconstructs Arrector Pili Muscle and Nerve Connections and Restores Functional Hair Follicle Piloerection

The study from 2012 showed that single follicular unit transplantation (FUT) in mice can reconstruct the arrector pili muscle and nerve connections, enabling the restored hair follicles to perform piloerection, which is the ability to stand up in response to stimuli. The transplanted hair follicles responded to acetylcholine and connected correctly with the host's tissues, indicating that they could autonomously reestablish functional connections necessary for piloerection. This research suggests that FUT could be used in regenerative therapies for restoring hair follicle function in skin damaged by various conditions.