J Biosci Bioeng 2022 Apr 14. Epub 2022 Apr 14.
Faculty of Engineering, Yokohama National University, 79-5 Tokiwadai, Hodogaya-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 240-8501, Japan; Kanagawa Institute of Industrial Science and Technology, 3-2-1 Sakado Takatsu-ku, Kawasaki, Kanagawa 213-0012, Japan. Electronic address:
Dermal papilla cells (DPCs), which play a central role in the regulation of hair follicle development and hair growth, are among the most promising cell sources for hair regenerative medicine. However, a critical issue in the use of DPCs is the immediate loss of hair inducing functions in typical two-dimensional (2D) culture. We have previously demonstrated that when DPCs are encapsulated in drops of collagen gel (named hair beads, HBs), the density of collagen and cells is concentrated >10-fold during 3 d of culture through the spontaneous constriction of the drops, leading to efficient hair follicle regeneration upon transplantation. Read More