Melanocyte Chitosan/Gelatin Composite Fabrication with Human Outer Root Sheath-Derived Cells to Produce Pigment

Abstract

The hair follicle serves as a melanocyte reservoir for both hair and skin pigmentation. Melanocyte stem cells (MelSCs) and melanocyte progenitors reside in the bulge/sub-bulge region of the lower permanent portion of the hair follicle and play a vital role for repigmentation in vitiligo. It would be beneficial to isolate MelSCs in order to further study their function in pigmentary disorders; however, due to the lack of specific molecular surface markers, this has not yet been successfully accomplished in human hair follicles (HuHF). One potential method for MelSCs isolation is the “side population” technique, which is frequently used to isolate hematopoietic and tumor stem cells. In the present study, we decided to isolate HuHF MelSCs using “side population” to investigate their melanotic function. By analyzing mRNA expression of TYR, SOX10, and MITF, melanosome structure, and immunofluorescence with melanocyte-specific markers, we revealed that the SP-fraction contained MelSCs with an admixture of differentiated melanocytes. Furthermore, our in vivo studies indicated that differentiated SP-fraction cells, when fabricated into a cell-chitosan/gelatin composite, could transiently repopulate immunologically compromised mice skin to regain pigmentation. In summary, the SP technique is capable of isolating HuHF MelSCs that can potentially be used to repopulate skin for pigmentation.

Treatment of vitiligo with 308‐nm light emitting diode: Our experience from a two‐year follow‐up of Chinese patients

“…The poor response of the hands and feet may result from the low density of hair follicles, which serve as a melanocyte reservoir. 21 Our results are consistent with those of other studies, confirming that the most responsive areas to the treatment for vitiligo are the face, neck, middle limb, and trunk, while the distal end and lip exhibit the worst response to treatment. 19,[22][23][24] We further analyzed the clinical efficacy of different facial areas after 308-nm LED therapy.…”

“…Facial lesions exhibited the best responses, while hand and feet lesions exhibited the poorest re‐pigmentation. The poor response of the hands and feet may result from the low density of hair follicles, which serve as a melanocyte reservoir 21 . Our results are consistent with those of other studies, confirming that the most responsive areas to the treatment for vitiligo are the face, neck, middle limb, and trunk, while the distal end and lip exhibit the worst response to treatment 19,22–24 …”

Mesterséges bőrszövetek a kutatásban és a gyógyításban

“…Ebben a két régióban több őssejttípus is található, melyek a helyreállítás teljes folyamatában részt vesznek. A szőrtüszőhöz csatlakozó simaizom (szőrszálemelő izom) melletti terület ("follicle bulge region") több őssejt-populációt tartalmaz [9]. Ezek az őssejtaltípusok multipotensek, és sebzés hatására aktiválódhatnak, a szőrtüszőkből a sérülés helyére vándorolhatnak a helyreállítása érdekében.…”