Expansion of Hair Follicle Stem Cells Sticking to Isolated Sebaceous Glands to Generate in Vivo Epidermal Structures.

Hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are considered one of the useful donor cell types for skin regenerative medicine owing to their robust proliferative capacity and multipotency. However, methods for easily and effectively obtaining HFSCs from a limited skin biopsy are still lacking. Here we report a novel approach for obtaining a subpopulation of HFSCs from a small skin sample from the rat tail, which uses the sebaceous glands (SGs) to capture the adjacent HFSCs. By means of organ culture, keratinocytes were expanded from the detached SGs, which also included adherent HFSCs from the hair follicle that could be passaged at the single-cell level. These SG-captured keratinocytes strongly expressed the basal layer markers K14, integrin α6, and p63; the bulge stem cell marker K15; and the upper isthmus stem cell marker Plet1. Furthermore, we reconstituted new epidermis, hair follicles, and SGs from the SG-captured keratinocytes using an easily operated, modified skin reconstitution assay based on silicone gel sheeting. This study suggests that the SGs could be an accessible capturer to harvest the adjacent HFSC subpopulation, particularly when the donor tissue is limited.

Bioengineering a 3D integumentary organ system from iPS cells using an in vivo transplantation model.

The integumentary organ system is a complex system that plays important roles in waterproofing, cushioning, protecting deeper tissues, excreting waste, and thermoregulation. We developed a novel in vivo transplantation model designated as a clustering-dependent embryoid body transplantation method and generated a bioengineered three-dimensional (3D) integumentary organ system, including appendage organs such as hair follicles and sebaceous glands, from induced pluripotent stem cells. This bioengineered 3D integumentary organ system was fully functional following transplantation into nude mice and could be properly connected to surrounding host tissues, such as the epidermis, arrector pili muscles, and nerve fibers, without tumorigenesis. The bioengineered hair follicles in the 3D integumentary organ system also showed proper hair eruption and hair cycles, including the rearrangement of follicular stem cells and their niches. Potential applications of the 3D integumentary organ system include an in vitro assay system, an animal model alternative, and a bioengineered organ replacement therapy.

Transplante capilar de unidades foliculares: experiência de 15 casos / Hair transplant of follicular units: a 15-case experience

Introdução: O transplante capilar de unidades foliculares (UFs) é a técnica que permite a obtenção dos resultados mais naturais. A implantação de 20 a 25 UF/cm2 possui baixo risco de dano aos folículos e tem resultado satisfatório com duas sessões. Densidade superior a 30-35 UF/cm2 permite resultado com uma única sessão, mas aumenta os riscos de dano ao folículo e perda de crescimento dos fios. O objetivo do estudo foi relatar a experiência de 15 casos de transplante capilar com implantação de 30 ou mais UF/cm2, com incisões previamente realizadas e utilizando um instrumento cirúrgico modificado para facilitar a implantação. Método: Foi realizado estudo retrospectivo de 15 pacientes submetidos em sequência a um total de 17 cirurgias, no período de julho de 2008 a junho de 2012, com tempo de seguimento de 1 ano. Resultados: Foi implantada uma quantidade média de 1433,3 UF e 3019,8 fios por cirurgia. O tempo médio de duração das cirurgias foi de 10 horas e 23 minutos. Ocorreu crescimento satisfatório dos fios com resultado visível a partir de 6 meses, com poucas complicações. Dos 15 pacientes, dois necessitaram de uma segunda sessão. Conclusões: A técnica empregada possibilitou manipulação delicada das UFs e permitiu implantação com alta densidade, obtendo bom resultado com uma sessão, mas requer tempo de execução acima da média, devendo ter uso restrito a áreas pequenas com necessidade de maior densidade.

Introduction: The transplant of follicular units (FUs) for hair restoration yields the most natural results. The implantation of 20-25 FU/cm2 has a low risk of follicular damage and yields satisfactory results within two sessions. A density greater than 30-35 FU/cm2 yields the same results within a single session but increases the risk of follicular damage and hair growth loss. We report our experience with 15 cases of hair transplantation, with an implantation density of ≥ 30 FU/cm2 and with incisions made previously using a surgical instrument modified to facilitate implantation. Method: A retrospective study of 15 patients who consecutively underwent 17 surgeries between July 2008 and June 2012 and were followed up for 1 year. Results: A mean of 1433.3 FUs and 3019.8 hairs were implanted per surgery. The mean surgical duration was 10 hours and 23 minutes. Satisfactory hair growth occurred, and results were visible at 6 months onward with few complications. Of the 15 patients, two required a second session. Conclusions: The technique used here enabled delicate manipulation of the FUs and high-density implantation that achieved good results within one session but required an above-average execution time and should be restricted to small areas requiring greater density.

Megassessões de unidades foliculares e fatores de crescimento plaquetário / Follicular unit megasessions and platelet growth factors

Queda de cabelo, seja parcial ou completa, é causa de preocupação significativa para homens e mulheres, que a veem como um sinal inestético e visível de envelhecimento. Avanços e refinamentos das técnicas culminaram na introdução de megassessões de microenxertos e minienxertos. Essa técnica se tornou amplamente aceita como um procedimento simples e seguro, que recria as linhas randômicas naturais do cabelo. Os folículos pilosos foram retirados da área cervical posterior, onde 500 a 1.500 unidades foliculares podem ser obtidas. A área calva foi implantada através de incisões de lâmina nº 11. Após o procedimento, gaze umedecida em solução salina foi aplicada sobre a área implantada por 24 horas. Os pontos foram removidos no 7º dia de pós-operatório. O resultado final foi obtido 8 meses a 12 meses após o procedimento, em homens, e 12 meses a 14 meses, em mulheres. Nos pacientes em que um segundo procedimento foi necessário, este foi realizado 1 ano após o transplante inicial. A qualidade e a força do cabelo transplantado permanecem em alguns pacientes por tempo indeterminado, em decorrência de características particulares, como alta qualidade histológica da área doadora, hereditariedade, hormônios e envelhecimento. A cirurgia de transplante capilar demonstra que o uso de fatores de crescimento plaquetário autólogo pode melhorar a densidade capilar. Esse processo oferece uma nova perspectiva ao transplante capilar, representando uma contribuição importante para a cirurgia de implante com megassessões de unidades foliculares.

Hair loss, whether partial or complete, is a cause of significant concern to both men and women, and is viewed as unaesthetic and a visible sign of aging. Advances and refinements in hair restoration techniques have culminated in the introduction of micrograft and minigraft megasessions. This technique has become widely accepted as a simple and safe procedure that recreates natural random-pattern hairlines. The hair follicles are harvested from the posterior cervical area, where 500 to 1500 follicular units can be obtained. Implantation in the bald area is performed via punctiform incisions using the No. 11 blade. After the procedure, gauze moistened in saline solution is applied over the implanted area for 24 hours. The stitches are removed on the 7th postoperative day. The final result is visible after 8 to 12 months in men and after 12 to 14 months in women. If an additional procedure is necessary, this can be performed 1 year after the initial transplantation. The quality and strength of the implanted hair persists for an indefinite period in some patients because of 1 the following particular characteristics: high histological quality of the donor area, heredity, hormones, or aging. This article also addresses the role of platelet-rich plasma growth factors in surgical treatment of male and female pattern baldness. The results of hair transplant surgery suggest that the use of autologous platelet growth factors improves capillary density. This offers a new perspective on hair transplantation and is an important contribution to implantation surgery with follicular unit megasessions.

Haemolymph control of sericin gene expression studied by organ transplantation.

A factor that affects synthesis of sericin mRNAs of Bombyx mori was analyzed by organ transplantation and allatectomy. When silk glands of the third instar larvae were transplanted into the abdomen of fifth instar larvae, substantial amounts of sericin mRNAs were induced in the transplant. The induced sericin gene activity was suppressed upon re-transplantation into the abdomen of fourth instar larvae and induced again when the second hosts grew up to fifth instar larvae. An allatectomy performed on fourth instar larvae promoted production of these mRNAs, suggesting that the synthesis of sericin mRNA is regulated by the titer of juvenile hormone.