In laboratory conditions, scientists have succeeded in growing hair follicles capable of natural growth cycles and attachment to tissues. This became possible thanks to the collaborative work of research groups from the USA and Japan, who were able to integrate a previously missing cellular component.
Past attempts to cultivate hair follicles in an artificial environment did not allow them to function effectively and undergo growth cycles. Their normal development was only observed after transplantation into living organisms. A key discovery was the identification of a third type of cell—supportive mesenchymal cells. Previous experiments only utilized epithelial stem cells, responsible for hair formation, and dermal papilla cells, which provide growth signals.
Supportive mesenchymal cells create a structural foundation around the hair follicle and in the dermal sheath. The inclusion of these cells at the early stages of follicle formation proved sufficient to initiate a full growth cycle and their connection to tissues in the laboratory. This allowed for the determination of a three-cell "recipe" necessary for creating a fully functioning hair follicle.
The research was conducted on mice, and its results open new horizons for developing methods to restore hair growth in cases of natural cessation, as well as potentially aiding in the creation of treatments for baldness. Furthermore, this work is significant for regenerative medicine as a whole. Scientists are confident that understanding the role of less obvious cells can be applied in the bioengineering of other organs.
OrganTech, one of the sponsors of this research, aims to further develop technologies for producing hair follicles in vitro to create effective therapeutic solutions. Laboratory-grown hair can also be used to evaluate new treatments for hair loss and for a deeper study of growth processes without the need for testing on animals or humans. This research defines the basic cellular configuration necessary for the regeneration of hair follicles.
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