Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research ›› 2025, Vol. 29 ›› Issue (31): 6733-6742.doi: 10.12307/2025.536

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Research on hair follicle organoids: current status, challenges and prospects

Wang Zhao, Gong Lin, Piao Yongjun   

  1. Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, Liaoning Province, China
  • Received:2024-05-21 Accepted:2024-08-05 Online:2025-11-08 Published:2025-02-25
  • Contact: Gong Lin, MD, Associate professor, Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, Liaoning Province, China
  • About author:Wang Zhao, Master candidate, Department of Dermatology, First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Dalian 116000, Liaoning Province, China
  • Supported by:
    National Natural Science Foundation Youth Scholars of China, No. 82003377 (to GL)

Abstract: BACKGROUND: In vitro reconstruction of hair follicles depends on the self-assembly behavior of dermal papilla cells and keratinocytes during three dimensional co-culture, which is very similar to the development of hair follicle embryos. Therefore, hair follicle organoids can be used as a good model in vitro for basic research of hair follicle regeneration. Currently, wholly humanized follicle organoids cultured by biomimetic system have been successfully transplanted into animals. Research on hair follicle organoids makes it possible to regenerate hair follicles, but there is no uniform conclusion on the construction method, and there are still many challenges.
OBJECTIVE: To review the current research progress of hair follicle organoids, summarize their culture methods and characterization, and expound their application prospects, so as to provide reliable basis for subsequent research, in order to promote its clinical transformation in tissue engineering and alopecia treatment.
METHODS: CNKI and PubMed databases were searched by a computer, using “hair follicle regeneration, hair regeneration, organoid” as Chinese search terms and “hair growth, hair loss, hair regeneration, hair follicle, dermal papilla cell, organoid” as English search terms. The domestic and foreign literature on hair follicle organoids was reviewed and a total of 67 articles were included for follow-up analysis.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) Dermal papilla cells and keratinocytes from different sources can be used to construct hair follicle organoids in vitro to obtain mouse-derived, human-mouse chimeric and human-derived hair follicle organoids, which have been successfully used in rodent transplantation models. (2) A variety of programming methods, such as electrical stimulation, addition of recombinant protein, and dissociation of cell gene expression, can be used to promote hair follicle organoid such as hair follicle germ formation and hair shaft elongation. Simultaneously, the application of various 3D printing technologies has achieved controllable hair follicle organoid to the size of the quantity production, which greatly improves the production efficiency. (3) When melanocytes are added to the dissociated cell co-culture system, the problem of pigment deficiency in new hair follicles may be solved. When human umbilical vein endothelial cells are added, the new blood vessels in the cell aggregates can improve their nutrient supply and reduce necrosis in the central area. (4) As the technology of engineered hair follicle organoid gradually maturates, hair follicle organoids constructed from patient's autologous cells may be used for individualized treatment of severe alopecia.

Key words: ">hair loss, hair follicle regeneration, dermal papilla cells, hair follicle organoids, epithelial-mesenchymal interaction, 3D culture, organoids, tissue engineering, engineered organoids

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