• Three-Dimensional Epidermal Model from Human Hair Follicle-Derived Keratinocytes
  • Marzie Bahrami,1 Reyhane Mohammad Hoseini,2 Sina Goodarzi,3 Sara Ghandi,4 Elnaz Hasany,5 Abed Ebrahimi,6,*
    1. Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Kashan University of Medical Science, Isfahan, Iran
    2. Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
    3. Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Lorestan University of Medical Science, Khorramabad, Iran
    4. Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Mazandaran University of Medical Science, Mazandaran, Iran
    5. Faculty of Medical Science, Department of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Science, Ardabil, Iran
    6. Department of Operating Room, School of Allied Medical Sciences, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran


  • Introduction: Hair follicle (HF) has a heterogeneous cell source, including stem cells with high differentiation capacity. Therefore, it is an important source of cells for regenerative medicine purposes. HF is available with completely non-invasive plucking. The hair follicle consists of the primary coordinated function of ectoderm and mesoderm and is a small organ with a unique structure and function. Hair follicle-derived keratinocytes can be obtained in culture, either by direct growth of hair follicle-derived keratinocytes or by seeding cell suspensions from enzymatic digestion of hair follicles. The advantage of keratinocyte extraction from hair follicles compared to other methods (skin removal or biopsy) is its non-invasiveness. For example, wounds that penetrate deep into the dermis heal poorly due to a lack of keratinocytes (especially the epithelium), a 3D epidermal model of human hair follicle-derived keratinocytes as a less invasive treatment for wounds and skin disorders. Today, most in vitro human three-dimensional (3D) skin models, known as skin surrogates, are regenerated human epidermis (RHE) models. In one of these RHE models, keratinocytes derived from hair follicles are cultured with fetal calf serum or autologous serum. Preferably, simpler (no feeder cells) and safer (serum-free) techniques are used when preparing epidermal equivalents. A 3D epidermal model of human hair follicle-derived keratinocytes provides a useful tool for researching skin biology and studying epidermal barrier functions in patients with various skin disorders (such as atopic dermatitis or psoriasis). Our goal in this research is to investigate the 3D epidermal model of human hair follicle keratinocytes.
  • Methods: In the following article, we collected the required data by using key words using reliable databases such as Google Scholar, ProQuest, Scopus and PubMed. Our statistical population consists of all the studies that have been conducted until 2022. After reviewing the findings, we reviewed 14 articles.
  • Results: 1- Due to the prohibition and limitation of other methods (testing on animals, treatment of chronic wounds and large burns), the use of 3D skin models is a more appropriate alternative (for example, atopic dermatitis or psoriasis). 2- Multipotent stem cells, which are a unique source for a wide range of therapeutic applications, have been identified in the hair follicle. These hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are used for skin, bone, cardiovascular and nerve tissue engineering.
  • Conclusion: With the positive results of various cell therapies currently under various studies, there is considerable interest in new stem cell sources with unique therapeutic properties. Studies over the past two decades have shown the possibility of isolating high-powered stem cells from hair follicles. Easy access, high proliferation and differentiation ability, as well as the lack of ethical concerns associated with these solutions, make hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) attractive candidates for cell therapy and tissue engineering.
  • Keywords: Three-Dimensional, keratinocytes, epidermis