Induced pluripotent stem cells from human hair follicle keratinocytes as a potential source for in vitro hair follicle cloning.

Sheng Jye Lim,Alan H.K Ong,Kian Lee Tan,Shu Cheow Ho,Seng Chiew Gan,Pooi Ling Mok

doi:10.7717/peerj.2695

Sheng Jye Lim, Alan H.K Ong + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.7717/peerj.2695

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Journal: PeerJ	Publication Date: Nov 10, 2016
Citations: 18	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Universiti Putra Malaysia

Abstract

BackgroundHuman hair follicles are important for the renewal of new hairs and their development. The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from hair follicles is easy due to its accessibility and availability. The pluripotent cells derived from hair follicles not only have a higher tendency to re-differentiate into hair follicles, but are also more suited for growth in hair scalp tissue microenvironment.MethodsIn this study, human hair follicular keratinocytes were used to generate iPSCs, which were then further differentiated in vitro into keratinocytes. The derived iPSCs were characterised by using immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry, and reverse-transcription PCR to check for its pluripotency markers expression.ResultsThe iPSC clones expressed pluripotency markers such as TRA-1-60, TRA-1-81, SSEA4, OCT4, SOX2, NANOG, LEFTY, and GABRB. The well-formed three germ layers were observed during differentiation using iPSCs derived from hair follicles. The successful formation of keratioctyes from iPSCs was confirmed by the expression of cytokeratin 14 marker.DiscussionHair follicles represent a valuable keratinocytes source for in vitro hair cloning for use in treating hair balding or grafting in burn patients. Our significant findings in this report proved that hair follicles could be used to produce pluripotent stem cells and suggested that the genetic and micro-environmental elements of hair follicles might trigger higher and more efficient hair follicles re-differentiation.

Highlights

Hair follicles are considered as a mini-organ which is important in animals and humans for protection from coldness (Marioka, 2006)
We showed that induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from the human hair follicle keratinocytes was pluripotent based on the characterization performed and the iPSC could be re-differentiated back into keratinocytes
The morphology of iPSC resembles the morphology of hESC in terms of a compact colony with large nucleoli, large nucleus to cytoplasm ratio, distinct cell border, and slightly rounder in shape (Fig. 2A)

Summary

Introduction

Hair follicles are considered as a mini-organ which is important in animals and humans for protection from coldness (Marioka, 2006). How to cite this article Lim et al (2016), Induced pluripotent stem cells from human hair follicle keratinocytes as a potential source for in vitro hair follicle cloning. Genetic or environmental factors can result in alopecia or hair loss in many people (Yoo et al, 2010). The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from hair follicles is easy due to its accessibility and availability. Human hair follicular keratinocytes were used to generate iPSCs, which were further differentiated in vitro into keratinocytes. The well-formed three germ layers were observed during differentiation using iPSCs derived from hair follicles. Our significant findings in this report proved that hair follicles could be used to produce pluripotent stem cells and suggested that the genetic and micro-environmental elements of hair follicles might trigger higher and more efficient hair follicles re-differentiation

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