Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 26, 2026

09:38
Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes
Published on: August 27, 2021
Repigmentation by outer-root-sheath-derived melanocytes: proof of concept in vitiligo and leucoderma
Wolfgang Vanscheidt1, Thomas Hunziker
1Dermatologische Gemeinschaftspraxis, Freiburg, Germany.
Abstract
Background:
Treatment of depigmented skin is an unmet medical need.
Objective:
Melanocytes or stem cells thereof residing in the outer root sheath (ORS) of hair follicles might be used to repigment skin.
Methods:
After de-epidermisation, autologous ORS cell solutions were applied to 5 patients with vitiligo and 1 with leucoderma.
Results:
Stable repigmentation in a variable percentage was documented in all the patients.
Conclusion:
Applying ORS-derived melanocytes is a promising technology to improve autologous melanocyte transplantation.
