Novel collagen sponge reinforced with polyglycolic acid fiber produces robust, normal hair in murine hair reconstitution model

Tissue Eng. 2004 May-Jun;10(5-6):818-24. doi: 10.1089/1076327041348400.

Abstract

The hair reconstitution assay is a useful system for studying cell-cell and epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. The current method consists of transplantation of both epidermal and dermal cells, using a silicone chamber placed on an athymic nude mouse. However, because of leakage and tilting of the grafted cells, the rate and area of hair growth vary depending on the chamber. We modified this method by using a collagen sponge as a scaffold and compared two types of collagen sponges, each having different tensile strengths. A conventional collagen sponge disturbed normal hair follicle formation; in contrast, a collagen sponge containing polyglycolic acid (PGA) fiber supported proper restructuring of skin and hair follicles. These data suggested the usefulness of PGA fiber-containing collagen sponges for hair reconstitution in research and clinical applications.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Absorbable Implants*
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • BALB 3T3 Cells
  • Biocompatible Materials / chemistry
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Collagen / chemistry*
  • Epithelial Cells / cytology*
  • Epithelial Cells / physiology*
  • Epithelial Cells / transplantation
  • Hair / cytology*
  • Hair / growth & development*
  • Manufactured Materials
  • Materials Testing / methods
  • Mice
  • Mice, Nude
  • Polyglycolic Acid / chemistry*
  • Tensile Strength
  • Transplants

Substances

  • Biocompatible Materials
  • Polyglycolic Acid
  • Collagen