Implanted hair-follicle-associated pluripotent (HAP) stem cells encapsulated in polyvinylidene fluoride membrane cylinders promote effective recovery of peripheral nerve injury.

ABSTRACT: Hair follicle-associated-pluripotent (HAP) stem cells are located in the bulge area of the hair follicle, express the stem-cell marker, nestin, and have been shown to differentiate to nerve cells, glial cells, keratinocytes, smooth muscle cells, cardiac muscle cells, and melanocytes. Transplanted HAP stem cells promote the recovery of peripheral nerve and spinal cord injuries and have the potential for heart regeneration as well. In the present study, we implanted mouse green fluorescent protein (GFP)-expressing HAP stem-cell spheres encapsulated in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-membrane cylinders into the severed sciatic nerve of immunocompetent and immunocompromised (nude) mice. Eight weeks after implantation, immunofluorescence staining showed that the HAP stem cells differentiated int

SUBMITTER: Yamazaki A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5638363 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature