Isolation of a Novel Population of Multipotent Adult Stem Cells from Human Hair Follicles

The study isolated a novel population of multipotent adult stem cells from human hair follicles, termed human hair follicle stem cells (hHFSCs), using human embryonic stem cell culture conditions. These cells, found in the bulge area of hair follicles, expressed neural crest and neuron stem cell markers, as well as embryonic stem cell transcription factors Nanog and Oct4, indicating potential pluripotency. The hHFSCs demonstrated self-renewal and the ability to differentiate into various cell types, including melanocytes, neurons, and smooth muscle cells, while losing stemness markers and gaining lineage-specific markers. The study involved 16 human scalp tissues from 13 patients and 3 autopsies, with successful isolation from 8 surgical specimens. The findings suggested that human hair follicles could serve as an accessible source of adult stem cells for therapeutic applications, highlighting their potential for regenerative medicine and individualized cell-based therapies.