Complete In Vitro Regeneration of Hair and Skin Appendages Through Combined Effects of Cellular Organization and Mechanical Stimulation

The study aimed to regenerate hair follicles and cutaneous appendages entirely in vitro by replicating in vivo cellular organization and mechanical conditions. Researchers used a three-layered gel micro-bead culture containing fetal mouse epidermal cells, mouse ES cells, and cytokines to simulate native hair follicle structures. This approach allowed for the reconstruction of hair follicle-like structures during in vitro culture. Additionally, C2C12 cells, a skeletal muscle myoblast cell line, were used to study the effects of cellular orientation and cyclic mechanical stimuli on the regeneration of the erector muscle of hair. By using gel fibers and a custom-made cell-culture device to apply cyclic stretching, the study successfully oriented myotubes and formed micro-scale mature myotubes, simulating the erector muscle of hair.