A team of researchers from California (USA) has developed a method to grow natural-looking hair using stem cells. This groundbreaking discovery could revolutionize the hair loss industry, offering new solutions for alopecia and hair loss.
The procedure, created by the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, was presented at the annual meeting of the International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) in Los Angeles, California.
Surpassing Technological Challenges:
Professor Alexey Terskikh, one of the researchers, explained that the experiment utilized papillary cells from the upper layer of the skin. Which reside within the hair follicle and control hair growth, including its length and thickness. Researchers extracted pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) from papillary cells to grow hair with a natural appearance.
“Our new protocol overcomes key technological challenges that had kept our discovery from real-world application.” Stated Terskikh, a professor at the Sanford Burnham Prebys program of Development, Aging, and Regeneration.
“We now have a robust and highly controlled method to generate natural-looking hair that grows through the skin, utilizing an unlimited source of iPSC-derived papillary cells,” Terskikh described.
Collaborative Effort:
Scientists conducted experiments using iPSC from human skin. Researchers inserted it into the epithelial cells of a hairless type of laboratory mouse. The team is currently developing “the derivation of the epithelial part of the hair follicle. Combined with the stem cells, will allow the generation of complete human hair follicles,” according to the report.
Can stem cells regenerate hair?
Though researchers have yet to determine conclusive results, current research appears promising. For example, a recent study by the National University of Pusan in South Korea suggests the possibility of stem cell treatments for hair loss.
Genetic, hormonal, and environmental factors cause androgenetic alopecia (AGA), also known as male pattern baldness. It affects approximately 50% of all men and many women over 50. Although not life-threatening, it can diminish self-esteem and psychological well-being.
The study involved 38 patients (29 men and nine women), with half assigned to a group receiving ADSC-CE topical solution and the other half receiving a placebo. Patients applied their respective solutions to their scalps twice daily. “At the end of 16 weeks, the group receiving ADSC-CE had a significant increase in both hair count and follicle diameter,” reported the team.
Conclusion:
While the research is still in its early stages, and further clinical trials are needed, these findings offer hope for both immediate treatments and the potential for new approaches to treating alopecia with stem cells. In the future, it may become possible to regenerate “dead” follicles through stem cell injections into the scalp.
Thereafter, be sure to visit our article What are stem cells?
