Generation of a reconstituted hair from a bioengineered hair follicle
We have developed the bioengineered hair to improve QOL of patients with alopecia. To examine the potential application of our bioengineering technique to the reorganization of hair, we also examined the reconstitution of the epithelium and mesenchymal-derived single cells isolated from the whisker follicles of ED14.5 mice. Tissues containing hair follicles were dissected from ED14.5 mice and the epithelial and mesenchymal tissues were completely dissociated to single cells. Epithelial and mesenchymal cells were also reconstituted with cell compartmentalization at a high-cell density in a collagen gel. After one day of incubation, the explant was then transplanted into a subrenal capsule. At post-transplantation day 14, the explants in the subrenal capsule were found to regenerate the bioengineered hair follicle at a 100% frequency (20/20). Our findings should encourage the future development of the bioengineering technologies and the approach to treating alopecia by bioengineered organ replacement therapy.
