Effect of topical tacrolimus on xenogeneic hair follicle transplantation

Abstract

Objective To study the effect of topical tacrolimus (FK506) on the survival of the xenogeneic transplanted hair follicles from human scalp to Wistar rats. Methods In our study, Wistar rats were used as recipients and human as donor. The black hair follicles of human scalp were harvested, and then the xenogeneic grafts were transplanted to white Wistar rats on the back. 20 couples of rats were divided in 2 groups: topical tacrolimus group (group A), and blank control group (group B). After operaton, we compared the survival time of hair follicles and their histologic outcomes in order to verify the practicability of xenogeneic transplantion of hair follicles, and the topical application of tacrolimus results.Results The mean survival time of group A was longer [(49. 9 ±7. 1) days] as compared to group B [(13. 1±1. 2) days]. The longest survival time was 65 days in group A and 14 days in group B, respectively. By comparison of the results we found that topical tacrolimus prolonged the survival time of the xenotransplanted hair follicles significantly and that tropical medication could not avoid rejection. Conclusions The immune privilege function dependent on the hair follicle anagen and axillary topical tacrolimus, can prolong the survival time of the xenogeneic transplanted hair follicles in rats significantly. Key words: Hair follicles; Xenotransplantation; Immune privilege; Tacrolimus