TLDR Patient-derived melanocytes can potentially treat vitiligo by restoring skin pigmentation.
The study demonstrated that human iPSC-derived melanocytes (hiMels) from vitiligo patients, generated using a three-dimensional system, exhibited characteristics similar to human epidermal melanocytes and were involved in vitiligo-associated signaling pathways. In vivo experiments showed that these hiMels localized in the mouse hair bulb and epidermis, producing melanin for up to 7 weeks post-transplantation. Additionally, hiMelanocyte stem cells integrated into the bulge-subbulge regions. These findings highlighted the potential of hiMels for long-term reconstitution of pigmented hair follicles and integration into normal skin regions, suggesting a promising personalized cellular therapy for depigmentation.
Cited in this study
7 / 7 results
39 citations
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April 2017 in “Dermatologic clinics” UV light can help stimulate the growth of new pigment cells from hair follicles in people with vitiligo.
401 citations
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January 2013 in “Postepy Dermatologii I Alergologii” The paper concludes that understanding melanocyte development can help in insights into skin diseases and melanoma diversity.
240 citations
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May 2011 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research” Melanocyte stem cells in hair follicles are key for hair color and could help treat greying and pigment disorders.
127 citations
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December 2010 in “Pigment cell & melanoma research” We need more research on human hair follicle pigmentation, not just mouse models.
43 citations
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June 2008 in “Journal of cutaneous pathology” Melanocyte precursors in human fetal skin follow a specific migration pattern and some remain in the skin's deeper layers.
60 citations
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April 2006 in “International Journal of Dermatology” Surgical methods like suction blister grafting and split-thickness skin grafting are highly successful for vitiligo repigmentation, but choosing the right patients is crucial for success.
450 citations
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January 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Hair color is determined by melanin produced and transferred in hair follicles.
