Methods for producing de novo papillae and hair microfollicles and their use for in vitro tests and in vivo implantations

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This patent discloses methods to produce new (de novo) dermal papillae and hair microfollicles using cultured cells from mammalian (preferably human) hair follicles. Dermal papilla fibroblasts are first isolated, expanded in culture, and then formed into cell aggregates that mimic natural dermal papillae. These structures can then be combined with other hair follicle cell types to generate hair microfollicles. The resulting artificial papillae and microfollicles can be used both as implants for hair restoration therapies and as advanced test models for studying hair biology or substance effects in the lab.

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• Treatment of hair loss conditions (e.g., androgenetic alopecia, scarring alopecia, chemotherapy-induced hair loss) via implantation of artificial papillae or microfollicles.
• Cosmetic enhancement procedures, including eyebrow, beard, or scalp hair restoration using engineered follicle implants.
• In vitro testing of pharmaceutical, cosmetic, or chemical substances for hair growth, hair structure, hair pigmentation, or toxicity, potentially replacing animal testing.
• Screening and development of new drugs or cosmetic compounds that modulate hair properties using realistic laboratory models.
• Production of skin equivalents with integrated hair follicles for research or for advanced skin grafts in wound healing and reconstructive surgery.

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• Offers a standardized and reproducible method to bioengineer hair follicle components for implantation or research.
• Provides advanced in vitro models that closely mimic real human hair follicles, enabling more accurate studies of hair biology and substance effects.
• Reduces reliance on animal models for toxicity and efficacy testing, supporting regulatory trends and ethical considerations.
• Allows high-throughput screening of substances affecting hair properties, aiding faster drug and product development.
• Supports autologous (patient's own cells) or allogenic cell sourcing approaches, minimizing risks of immune rejection.
• Potential for lower manufacturing costs, higher availability, and consistent product quality for clinical and laboratory use.
• Addresses unmet needs in hair loss therapy by enabling follicle regeneration rather than just stimulating existing follicles.

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Inventors & Applicants

Patent Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for producing de novo papillae, in which dermal hair papilla fibroblasts (DPFs) are isolated from a dermal papilla (DP) of a mammal hair follicle, subsequently expanded, and finally condensed into cell aggregates that exhibit the size and shape of the physiological DP, wherein said DPFs are differentiated in ultra-low attachment culture vessels in a cell concentration per vessel surface of 1.000 to 100.000 DPFs/cm 2 . The invention also relates to a method for producing hair microfollicles by co-culturing the de novo papillae with another cell population of the hair follicle in the ultra-low attachment culture vessels. Object of the invention are also the de novo papillae and the hair microfollicles produced by the aforementioned methods. The de novo papillae and hair microfollicles can be used as implants for treating reduced hair conditions, and for in vitro testing hair-modulating effects or toxic effects of substances.