Evaluation of Gene Expression Patterns in Micrografts Demonstrate Induction of Catagen-Like Processes During Storage.

Background: Alterations of gene expression patterns may contribute to the commonly observed transient reduction of hair shaft elongation in hair restoration surgery.

Objective: To elucidate the molecular causes, we evaluated changes in gene expression patterns in hair follicle micrografts during storage.

Materials And Methods: Micrografts with different amounts of adjacent connective tissue (regular, skinny, and chubby) were stored for different periods, and the expression of key genes was determined: dermal papilla (DP): FGF7, alkaline phosphatase (ALP), versican; outer root sheath: Krt15; inner root sheath: Krt 25; cuticula: Krt85; Henle layer: filaggrin; genes related to apoptosis and growth/differentiation: Caspase 3, Ovol1, and Foxo1.

Induction of vascular endothelial growth factor messenger ribonucleic acid expression in stored micrografts by aminoguanidine.

Background And Objectives: Aminoguanidine (AMG) has been found to inhibit apoptotic cell death in hair follicle micrografts and improves the viability of isolated micrografts during the storage period in hair restoration surgery. In this study, we investigated the effect of AMG on messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) synthesis of growth factors in stored micrografts and primary cultures of follicle-derived cell populations.

Method: Hair follicles were obtained from 10 different patients undergoing routine micrograft transplant and were stored for 5 hours at room temperature in phosphate-buffered saline containing different concentrations of AMG.

Reorganization of hair follicles in human skin organ culture induced by cultured human follicle-derived cells.

Studies of human hair follicle (HF) induction by follicle-derived cells have been limited due to a lack of suitable test systems. In this study, we established a skin organ culture system which supports HF formation by follicle-derived cells. Long-term skin organ cultures were set up from human retroauricular skin specimens and maintained in culture for up to 8 weeks.

Enhancement of in vitro hair shaft elongation in follicles stored in buffers that prevent follicle cell apoptosis.

Background: Viability and survival of stored micrografts during hair follicle transplantation are important limitations of micrograft transplantation procedures. In this study, we investigated the effect of different storage solutions and inhibitors of apoptotic cell death (ACD) on hair follicle cell viability by measuring in vitro hair shaft elongation (HSE) for 5 days.

Methods: Micrografts from informed patients undergoing routine micrograft transplantation were stored for 5 hours at room temperature in phosphate-buffered salt solution (PBS) or HEPES-buffered Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM), containing different concentrations of the ACD-inhibitors aminoguanidine (AMG), hormones (insulin, hydrocortisone), 14,15-epoxy-eicosatrienoic acid (14,15-EET), or combinations of these.