As a carrier–transporter for hair follicle reconstitution, platelet-rich plasma promotes proliferation and induction of mouse dermal papilla cells

Abstract

Morphogenesis of hair follicles during development and in hair reconstitution assays involves complex interactions between epithelial cells and dermal papilla cells (DPCs). DPCs may be a source of cells for hair regeneration in alopecia patients. Reconstitution of engineered hair follicles requires in vitro culture of trichogenic cells, a three-dimensional scaffolds, and biomolecular signals. However, DPCs tend to lose their biological activity when cultured as trichogenic cells, and scaffolds currently used for hair follicle regeneration lack biological efficiency and biocompatibility. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) gel forms a three-dimensional scaffold that can release endogenous growth factors, is mitogenic for a variety of cell types and is used in model tissue repair and regeneration systems. We found that 5% activated PRP significantly enhanced cell proliferation and hair-inductive capability of mouse and human DPCs in vitro and promoted mouse hair follicle formation in vivo. PRP also formed a three-dimensional gel after activation. We used PRP gel as a scaffold to form many de novo hair follicles on a plane surface, showing it to be candidate bioactive scaffold capable of releasing endogenous growth factors for cell-based hair follicle regeneration.

The mechanism of activated platelet‐rich plasma supernatant promotion of hair growth by cultured dermal papilla cells

“…When Wnt signaling is activated, GSK‐3 is inhibited, and the β‐catenin that enters the cytoplasm is translocated into the nucleus where it initiates the transcription of target genes . In a previous study, we assayed the gene and protein expression of β‐catenin in DPCs treated with 5% activated PRP supernatant and found that β‐catenin expression was upregulated in PRP‐treated DPCs compared with controls . In this study, we found that GSK‐3 expression was lower in cells treated with activated PRP supernatant than in control cells, which suggests that activated PRP supernatant enhanced the hair‐inducing capacity of DPCs by activating the Wnt signaling pathway.…”

“…Normal human scalp hair follicles were obtained during hair follicle transplantation procedures All the follicles were in the anagen phase, and the DPCs were dissociated and cultured as previously described . Briefly, the collagen capsules surrounding the follicle bulbs were removed, the dermal papillae were microdissected from the bulbs and transferred to cell culture in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM; Gibco, Grand Island, NY, USA) supplemented with 10% (v/v) fetal bovine serum (FBS, Gibco).…”

“…Dermal papilla control hair growth via paracrine effects and are a likely target for PRP‐mediated effects. We previously reported that a culture system including 5% activated PRP supernatant promoted cell proliferation and the hair‐inductive activity of DPCs . This study is a continuation of that investigation.…”

Tissue engineering strategies for human hair follicle regeneration: How far from a hairy goal?

“…Such a combined approach may favor cellular interactions in vitro, hopefully guiding the development and differentiation of both epithelial and mesenchymal counterparts to form a mature HF. To this end, recent work disclosed an interesting approach using a bioactive scaffold based on platelet‐rich plasma that synergistically combines 3D culture environment with natural release of endogenous growth factors …”

“…To this end, recent work disclosed an interesting approach using a bioactive scaffold based on platelet-rich plasma that synergistically combines 3D culture environment with natural release of endogenous growth factors. 71 Envisioning the large-scale production of HF germs needed for a clinical setup, different innovative high-throughput strategies have been conceived, using both mouse and human cells. 3D-printing technology is currently being used in the hair research field to print 3D molds resembling HF microenvironment.…”