Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 23, 2026

Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin
Published on: April 29, 2016
DAPT in the control of human hair follicle stem cell proliferation and differentiation
Jindou Jiang1, Yong Miao1, Shune Xiao1
1Department of Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, China. Head of Department: Jianhua Gao.
Introduction:
Stem cells from hair follicle have great therapeutic applications in regenerative medicine as sources of cells for transplantation. The differentiation pathway selected by hair follicle stem cells (HFSC) is largely determined by local microenvironmental signals. In this study, human hair follicle stem cells were treated with Notch signaling blocker to explore a new approach to modulate human hair follicle stem cell proliferation and differentiation in vitro.
Aim:
To define the functional consequences of blocking the Notch signaling pathway on the proliferation and differentiation of human HSCs.
Material And Methods:
The human hair follicle stem cells were treated with various concentrations of Notch signaling blocker DAPT (24-diamino-5-phenylthiazole). The viability of the cells was investigated with clonogenicity assays. The expression of stem cell markers, cell cycle and cell apoptosis were analysed by flow cytometry.
Results:
Notch blocking leads to promotion of human hair follicle stem cell proliferation and inhibition of differentiation in response to DAPT. The maximum effect of DAPT on the viability of human HFSC was observed at a concentration of 20 µM. We found that DAPT treatment results in downregulation of Hes1 and p21 and upregulation of Wnt10b.
Conclusions:
γ-Secretase inhibitor DAPT has a modulatory effect on the human HFSC. The DAPT may modulate human hair follicle stem cell proliferation and differentiation through regulation of p21 and Wnt-10b.
Related Concept Videos
Multipotency and Niche of Bulge Stem Cell
Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types
Stem Cell Niche
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...

