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Updated: Feb 11, 2026

Isolating Hair Follicle Stem Cells and Epidermal Keratinocytes from Dorsal Mouse Skin
Published on: April 29, 2016
Regulation of hair follicle development by exosomes derived from dermal papilla cells
Lijuan Zhou1, Han Wang1, Jing Jing1
1Department of Dermatology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Background:
Dermal papilla cells (DPCs) play a critical role in the regulation of hair follicle (HF) growth, formation, and cycling. DPCs are thought to regulate HF growth through a paracrine mechanism, in which exosomes may play a critical role.
Methods:
DPC-Exos were cutaneously injected into HFs at different HF cycle stages and the effects were evaluated by histological and immunohistochemical analyses. The effects of DPC-Exos on proliferation, migration, and cell cycle status of outer root sheath cells (ORSCs) were evaluated. After treatment of DPC-Exos, changes in mRNA and protein levels of β-catenin and Sonic hedgehog (Shh) in ORSCs were detected.
Results:
DPC-Exos were approximately 105 nm in diameter and expressed tumor susceptibility gene 101, cluster of differentiation (CD)9, and CD63. Injection of DPC-Exos accelerated the onset of HF anagen and delayed catagen in mice. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that β-catenin and Shh levels were upregulated in the skin. In vitro, DPC-Exo treatment enhanced ORSC proliferation and migration, and stimulated the expression of β-catenin and Shh.
Conclusion:
DPC-Exos contribute to the regulation of HF growth and development, and provide a potential avenue for the treatment of hair loss.
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