Human hair follicle pluripotent stem (hfPS) cells promote regeneration of peripheral‐nerve injury: An advantageous alternative to ES and iPS cells

• DOI: 10.1002/jcb.22204
• Publication Date: 2009-06-08T17:26:43Z
• Authors: Yasuyuki Amoh; Maho Kanoh; Shiro Niiyama; Yuko Hamada; Katsumasa Kawahara; Yuichi Sato; Robert M. Hoffman; Kensei Katsuoka
• Keywords: Amniotic epithelial cells

Abstract The optimal source of stem cells for regenerative medicine is a major question. Embryonic (ES) have shown promise pluripotency but ethical issues and potential to form teratomas. Pluripotent been produced from skin by either viral‐, plasmid‐ or transposon‐mediated gene transfer. These termed induced pluripotent iPS cells. may also malignant are inefficiently produced. not be suited individualized therapy, since they can undergo immunologic rejection. To address these fundamental problems, our group developing hair follicle (hfPS) Our previous studies that mouse hfPS differentiate neurons, glial in vitro, other cell types, promote nerve spinal cord regeneration vivo. located above the bulge what we area (hfPSA) nestin positive keratin 15 (K‐15) negative. Human into glia, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, melanocytes vitro. In present study, human were transplanted severed sciatic where differentiated fibrillary‐acidic‐protein (GFAP)‐positive Schwann promoted recovery pre‐existing axons, leading generation. regenerated recovered function and, upon electrical stimulation, contracted gastrocnemius muscle. readily isolated scalp, thereby providing an accessible, autologous safe important advantages over ES J. Cell. Biochem. 107: 1016–1020, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.