A Photodynamic Tool to Promote a Sustained, ROS-Dependent Growth of Human Hair Follicles in Ex Vivo Culture

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) may severely affect the biochemical viability of most cells. However, ROS may act also as key second messengers regulating important physiological functions in eukaryotic organisms. Of special interest is the potential role of ROS in the regulation of stem cell function and tissue homeostasis and regeneration in adult mammalian tissues. In this context, the hair follicle constitutes an excellent experimental model to study this aspect of ROS biology.Here we present a robust protocol to promote a sustained growth of ex vivo cultured human hair follicles based on the induction of a transient/modulable production of nonlethal endogenous ROS levels in the tissue through a protoporphyrin IX-dependent photodynamic procedure. The light-switchable ROS production activates hair follicle stem cell niches, induces cell proliferation, and maintains the growth/anagen phase for long time. This approach constitutes a complementary experimental tool to study the physiological roles of ROS in human tissues.