Dermal Papilla Cells, Dermal Sheath Cup Cells, Mesenchymal Stem Cells, Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injections and Hair Growth

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Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University

In 2015, I discussed new hair multiplication related collaborative work between the University of Manitoba (Canada — led by Dr. Malcolm Xing) and Nanfang Hospital Southern Medical University (China). Researchers from the latter recently published two new hair related studies, one of which analyzes the results of Chinese clinical trials involving mesenchymal stem cell injections for hair growth.

Note that hair follicle derived mesenchymal stem cells (HF-MSCs) include both dermal papilla (DP) cells and dermal sheath (DS) cup cells. Mesenchymal stem cells can also be derived from: adult tissues (bone marrow, peripheral blood, adipose/fat and teeth); and neonatal-birth associated tissues (Wharton’s jelly, placenta, cord blood, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid).

In recent years, mesenchymal stem cells have been in the news a lot due to the rising popularity of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-derived exosomes in regenerative medicine applications.

Treating Androgenetic Alopecia with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injections

Recently, reader “Theo” sent me a link to a new November 2024 study from the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. It entails a superior method of isolating human hair follicle dermal papilla cells (DPCs).

More importantly, several of the co-authors of this study also co-authored a September 2024 study titled: “A Clinical Trial of Treating Androgenic Alopecia with Mesenchymal Stem Cell Suspension Derived from Autologous Hair Follicle.” This trial occurred at the Department of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University (China). The link to the actual 50-person trial that ended in 2022 can be seen here.

Treating Androgenetic Alopecia with Stem Cell Injections
Treating Androgenetic Alopecia with Stem Cell Injections. Source: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, September 2024.

The results were encouraging, although the increasing hair count and hair thickening effects lasted for just 3 months. Note that at around 7 months, the treated group still had slightly higher terminal hair counts and mean hair diameters compared to when they started out. If this method is improved, a once-a-year injection session is totally fine by me.

“An increased proportion of terminal hair and hair shaft diameter was observed in the experimental group at 1 month. The effect lasted for 3 months. The hair-thickening effect of advanced miniaturized hair follicles with hair shaft diameter less than 60 µm was more notable than that for above 60 µm. No patient experienced any obvious side effects.”

Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection Hair Growth
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection Hair Growth Increase. Source: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, September 2024.
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection Hair Diameter Increase
Mesenchymal Stem Cell Injection Hair Diameter Increase. Source: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, September 2024.

They also include two images showing before and after (3 months) hair growth results. The left side in the below image is the before photos.

Before and After Stem Cell Hair Growth
Before and After Stem Cell Hair Growth. Source: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, September 2024.

Stem Cells and Hair Multiplication

This makes me even more positive about Shiseido’s dermal sheath cup cell hair multiplication procedure that was released in 2024. And perhaps HairClone will finally test its dermal papilla cell injection treatment on humans in the UK in 2025. Also of note, in 2024, Dr. Junji Fukuda of Fukuda Lab announced that “Dermal papilla cell transplantation is about to begin in Japan.“

And several South Korean hair loss companies could test this in humans in 2025 too. In the past, Aderans (Japan) did the same with some success.

Note that similar attempts have been done in animals and humans in the past. Further reading:

In my 2015 interview with Dr. Xing, he said that he had just returned from a trip to Nanfang Hospital and that:

“A team of more than 10 clinical doctors is working on hair loss in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital.”

It is always great to see more hair related research and clinical trials taking place in China. Within East Asia, the country has lagged Japan and South Korea in importance when it comes to hair research.

Keratinocytes

Hair Follicle Keratinocytes

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I have rarely discussed hair follicle keratinocytes on this blog. However, a new study published by EpiBiotech CEO Jong-Hyuk Sung in collaboration with researchers from Seoul National University College of Pharmacy has given me the opportunity.

Hair Follicle Keratinocytes
Hair Follicle Keratinocytes. Source: Archives of Dermatological Research, December 2024.

Keratinocytes of the Hair Follicles and Skin

The new December 2024 study (that is not yet available in full) is titled:

“Differential expression of androgen receptor and 5-α reductase isoforms in skin cells“.

A summary of its findings can be read here (h/t “Ben”). Interestingly, an older 2014 study that I came across while writing this post is titled: “Differential expression of 5-alpha reductase isozymes in the prostate and its clinical implications.”

The researchers used single-cell RNA sequencing technology to identify the expression sites of androgen receptors and 5-α reductase in human and mouse skin cells. They analyzed all three isozymes of 5α-reductase (encoded by the genes SRD5A1, SRD5A2, and SRD5A3). Past research has found that SRD5A2 is not expressed in the skin and hair follicles.

The study confirms that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) biosynthesis (the cause of pattern hair loss) is produced in the keratinocytes of skin and hair follicles. And not in dermal papilla cells (or dermal sheath cup cells) which are the main focus of hair multiplication research.

EpiBiotech CEO Seong-Hyeok Sung said:

“This study suggests a new mechanism for androgenetic alopecia treatment and opens up the possibility of a new approach targeting hair follicle keratinocytes, moving away from the existing dermal papilla cell-centered treatment method.”

Considering the diverse range of hair loss treatments and research that Epibiotech is focusing on (in a rapid manner), I am reluctant to put too much stock into their findings as yet.

Past Discussions of Keratinocytes on this Blog

When I started writing this post, I did a search of the past mentions of keratinocytes on this blog. Lo and behold, I found something unusual right off the bat.

“For decades, researchers studying aging and hair loss have focused on keratinocytes, the cells that make up the bulk of the hair follicle and eventually give rise to the hair fibre. But a study from the University of Calgary Faculty of Veterinary Medicine (UCVM) has found that it’s actually a small population of specialized cells within the hair follicle called fibroblasts, and the dermal stem cells that maintain them, that may cause hair loss.”

This says the opposite of what Jong-Hyuk Sung said in regards to the lack of importance given to keratinocytes in the past. My personal feeling is that Mr. Sung is correct and the importance given to keratinocytes has been less than that given to dermal stem cells. However, Dr. Bernaskie is a highly respected researcher, and perhaps the above pasted statement is not a direct quote from him.

  • In my 2017 interview with Stemson Therapeutics co-founder Dr. Alexey Terskikh, he said the following:

“Then DP cells will be mixed with keratinocytes within a specialized matrix scaffold and transplanted back into the same patient’s skin.”

  • When discussing fibroblast growth factors in past posts, I have noted that FGF7 (also called keratinocyte growth factor, or KGF) is required for hair growth. The much discussed and maligned Histogen (no longer active) was developing a Hair Stimulating Complex that included KGF as a key ingredient.