Scientists have confirmed that adult hair-follicle-derived stem cells (also called epidermal neural CREST stem cells) may be used as an alternative to embryonic stem cells (ESC).

Similar to embryonic stem cells, they have a high degree of plasticity, can be isolated at high levels of purity, and can be expanded in culture. Similar to other types of adult stem cells, they are readily accessible through a minimally invasive procedure and could lead to using a patient's own hair as a source for therapy without the controversy or medical issues of embryonic stem cells.

Mice trials have shown that when injected into mice with spinal cord injuries, the stem cells survives and showed characteristics that could lead to local nerve replacement and re-myelination (restoration of nerve pathways and sheaths).

Neural crest stem cells generate a wide array of cell types and tissues and actually give rise to the autonomic and enteric nervous systems along with endocrine cells, bone and smooth muscle cells. The cells can be isolated from the hair follicle bulge as multipotent stem cells, and then expanded in culture into millions of cells without losing stem cell markers.

The authors say these cells may also be useful to treat Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, Hirschsprung's disease, stroke, peripheral neuropathies and ALS, as well as heart and bone defects (degeneration, craniofacial birth defects). For further reading, refer to the manuscript published at the recent issue of Stem Cells: The International Journal of Cell Differentiation and Proliferation. Or you may want to see a previous entry:

[Source: EurekAlert; Photo: Univ Penn