Japanese scientists have identified stem cells vital for hair regeneration, with the aim of initiating clinical research to apply these cells to therapy for male pattern baldness.
According to an article published online in the British journal Scientific Reports, Takashi Tsuji, a team leader at the government-affiliated Riken research institute, and his colleagues set up in vitro culture systems and found by analysis functional that stem cells were positive for CD34 antibody and integrin. alpha 6 and beta 5, both adhesive proteins, play an important role in the continued regeneration of hair along with a glycoprotein called tenascin.
“Loss of hair or teeth does not endanger life, but it negatively affects quality of life,” Tsuji said. “I hope to start the clinical study soon.”
The biotechnology start-up Organ Technologies Inc. he had led the preparatory work for the launch of the study with partners until work was suspended last fall mainly due to the resurgence of the coronavirus pandemic.
Riken is soliciting donations and is looking for partner companies to make regenerative medications for those who have lost their hair and teeth.
In the clinical research planned to cure male pattern baldness, Tsuji’s team plans to grow hair follicles extracted from those with the disease using a method he developed in 2007 and then implanted the cultured cells in the head.
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