Researchers in Japan have grown fully functional hair follicles in mice through the rearrangement of stem cells. Copyright: Tokyo University of Science |
Organ
replacement regenerative therapy is purported to enable the replacement
of organs damaged by disease, injury or ageing in the foreseeable
future. A research group led by Professor Takashi Tsuji (Professor in
the Research Institute for Science and Technology, Tokyo University of
Science, and Director of Organ Technologies Inc.) has provided a
proof-of-concept for bioengineered organ replacement as a next stage of
regenerative therapy.
Reporting
in Nature Communications, the group demonstrated that bioengineered
hair follicle germ reconstructed from adult epithelial stem cells and
dermal papilla cells can regenerate fully functional hair follicle and
hair growth. Their bioengineered follicles showed restored hair cycles
and piloerection through the rearrangement of follicular stem cells and
their niches. The bioengineered hair follicle also developed the correct
structures and formed proper connections with surrounding host tissues
such as the epidermis, arrector pili muscle and nerve fibers. This study
thus reveals the potential applications of adult tissue-derived
follicular stem cells as a bioengineered organ replacement therapy.
This
was collaborative research with Lecturer Tarou Irié and Professor
emertius Tetsuhiko Tachikawa (Department of Oral Pathology, Showa
University School of Dentistry, Japan), Professor Akio Sato (Department
Regenerative Medicine, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kitasato
University School of Medicine, Japan) and Associate Professor Akira
Takeda (Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Kitasato University
School of Medicine, Japan).
Source:
Tokyo University of Science via ResearchSEA
