A team of scientists from Japan has successfully made a 3D skin system that features hairs and sebaceous glands from induced pluripotent stem cells. The breakthrough research was published in Science Advances earlier this month.
It is hoped the system could be used as an alternative to animal testing and in bioengineered organ replacement therapy for burns sufferers or those that suffer from alopecia.
To create the skin, the scientists first developed a clustering-dependent embryoid body (CDB) transplantation method. These embryoid bodies were then implanted into immune-deficient mice in vivo, allowing the cells to develop.
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Once developed, the skin system was transplanted into the backs of female nude mice. The transplanted area was seen to properly connect to surrounding host tissues including the epidermis, arrestor pili muscles and nerve fibres. The hair follicles displayed full functionality and black hairs sprouted after 14 days of the transplant, thereafter undergoing repeated normal hair cycles. The distribution and placement of the hair shafts was similar to that of normal adult mice.
The team was led by scientist Dr Takashi Tsui from the Riken Center for Developmental Biology.