Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells engineered to overexpress growth factors accelerate outcomes in hair growth

• Published in: The Korean journal of physiology & pharmacology Vol. 22; no. 5; pp. 555 - 566
• Main Authors: Bak, Dong Ho, Choi, Mi Ji, Kim, Soon Re, Lee, Byung Chul, Kim, Jae Min, Jeon, Eun Su, Oh, Wonil, Lim, Ee Seok, Park, Byung Cheol, Kim, Moo Joong, Kim, Beom Joon
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Physiological Society and The Korean Society of Pharmacology 01.09.2018; 대한약리학회
• Subjects: Original; 약리학; IGFBP-1; Alopecia; Dermal papilla cell; Stem cell; Hair growth; Stem-cell therapy
• ISSN: 1226-4512; 2093-3827
• DOI: 10.4196/kjpp.2018.22.5.555

Human umbilical cord blood mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) are used in tissue repair and regeneration; however, the mechanisms involved are not well understood. We investigated the hair growth-promoting effects of hUCB-MSCs treatment to determine whether hUCB-MSCs enhance the promotion of hair growth. Furthermore, we attempted to identify the factors responsible for hair growth. The effects of hUCB-MSCs on hair growth were investigated , and hUCB-MSCs advanced anagen onset and hair follicle neogeneration. We found that hUCB-MSCs co-culture increased the viability and up-regulated hair induction-related proteins of human dermal papilla cells (hDPCs) . A growth factor antibody array revealed that secretory factors from hUCB-MSCs are related to hair growth. Insulin-like growth factor binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were increased in co-culture medium. Finally, we found that IGFBP-1, through the co-localization of an IGF-1 and IGFBP-1, had positive effects on cell viability; VEGF secretion; expression of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), CD133, and β-catenin; and formation of hDPCs 3D spheroids. Taken together, these data suggest that hUCB-MSCs promote hair growth via a paracrine mechanism.