Differentiation of cultured hair follicle neural crest stem cells into functional melanocytes

• Published in: Heliyon 2024-08, Vol.10 (15), p.e35295, Article e35295
• Main Authors: Wang, Hongjuan, Hu, Wen, Xiang, Fang, Lei, Zixian, Zhang, Xiangyue, Zhang, Jingzhan, Ding, Yuan, Kang, Xiaojing
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Differentiation; Hair follicle neural crest stem cells (HFNCSCs); hair follicles; Melanocyte; melanocytes; neural crest; surgery; Transplantation; Vitiligo
• ISSN: 2405-8440; 2405-8440
• DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35295

Many autologous melanocytes are required for surgical treatment of depigmentation diseases such as vitiligo. However, primary cultured melanocytes have a limited number of in vitro passages. The production of functional epidermal melanocytes from stem cells provides an unprecedented source of cell therapy for vitiligo. This study explores the clinical application of melanocytes induced by hair follicle neural crest stem cells (HFNCSCs). This study established an in vitro differentiation model of HFNCSCs into melanocytes. Results demonstrate that most differentiated melanocytes expressed the proteins C-KIT, MITF, S–100B, TYRP1, TYRP2, and tyrosinase. The HFNCSC-derived melanocytes were successfully transplanted onto the dorsal skin of mice and survived in the local tissues, expressing marker protein of melanocytes. In conclusion, HFNCSCs in mice can be induced to differentiate into melanocytes under specific conditions. These induced melanocytes exhibit the potential to facilitate repigmentation in the lesion areas of vitiligo-affected mice, suggesting a promising avenue for therapeutic intervention. [Display omitted] •HFNCSCs were obtained from the vibrissae of C57BL/6 mice.•The generation of functional melanocytes from stem cells.•The HFNCSCs-derived melanocytes were applied to the skin of mice.