Abstract
Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is an androgen-dependent process and represents the most frequent non-scarring alopecia. Treatments for AGA do not always achieve a satisfactory result for the patient, and sometimes cause side effects that lead to discontinuation of treatment. AGA therapeutics currently includes topical and oral drugs, as well as follicular unit micro-transplantation techniques. Tissue engineering (TE) is postulated as one of the possible future solutions to the problem and aims to develop fully functional hair follicles that maintain their cyclic rhythm in a physiological manner. However, despite its great potential, reconstitution of fully functional hair follicles is still a challenge to overcome and the knowledge gained of the key processes in hair follicle morphogenesis and biology has not yet been translated into effective replacement therapies in clinical practice. To achieve this, it is necessary to research and develop new approaches, techniques and biomaterials. In this review, present and emerging hair follicle bioengineering strategies are evaluated. The current problems of these bioengineering techniques are discussed, as well as the advantages and disadvantages, and the future prospects for the field of TE and successful hair follicle regeneration.
Highlights
Hair is a primary characteristic of mammals, and exerts a wide range of functions including thermoregulation, physical protection, sensory activity and social interactions [1].Hair loss or alopecia can be a clinical manifestation of a large number of pathologies, as well as an androgen-dependent process in the case of androgenetic alopecia (AGA)
Its prevalence increases with age and it has been estimated that half of the male population will experience hair loss by the time they reach fifty [3]
Different 3D spheroid models have been developed, and most of them are primarily aimed at creating a microenvironment that allows for the EM interactions that occur in vivo [52]
Summary
Hair is a primary characteristic of mammals, and exerts a wide range of functions including thermoregulation, physical protection, sensory activity and social interactions [1]. The reconstitution of a fully organized and functional HF from dissociated cells originated under defined tissue culture conditions is an unresolved challenge and the notable improvements in cognizance of key processes in HF biology have not yet translated into replacement therapies in clinical practice [8]. For this reason, it becomes necessary to investigate and to develop new procedures and new biomaterials that allow the generation of HF and its successful implementation and maintenance in vivo
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