UVB-Induced Depletion of Donor-Derived Dendritic Cells Prevents Allograft Rejection of Immune-Privileged Hair Follicles in Humanized Mice

The study investigated the use of UVB irradiation combined with anti-CD154 antibody treatment to prevent allograft rejection of hair follicles (HFs) in humanized mice. By depleting donor-derived dendritic cells (DCs) through UVB preirradiation and blocking recipient-derived DCs with anti-CD154 antibody, the researchers achieved long-term survival and hair regrowth in treated groups, with significantly reduced T cell and MHC class II+ cell infiltration around the follicles. The study included 24 humanized mice and concluded that this approach could serve as a novel immunomodulatory strategy for clinical HF transplantation without the need for generalized immunosuppression.