Tissue engineering ECM-enriched controllable vascularized human microtissue for hair regenerative medicine using a biomimetic developmental approach

The study addressed the challenge of maintaining the hair growth-inducing properties of human dermal papilla cells (DPCs) in culture by developing ECM-enriched, vascularized dermal papilla spheroids that mimic in vivo conditions. Using layer-by-layer self-assembly with gelatin and alginate, and co-culturing with human umbilical vein endothelial cells, the researchers created a biomimetic environment that restored DPCs' hair inductivity. This approach prevented hypoxia-induced necrosis and improved hair induction efficiency threefold compared to traditional 3D cultures. The findings suggested that this novel tissue engineering strategy could significantly advance the clinical application of hair regeneration therapies.