Abstract: This invention relates to methods of producing hair folliclesin vitro, compositions for producing hair follicles in vitro, in vitro produced hair follicles, methods of providing an in vitro produced hair shaft at an interfollicular or intrafollicular site, methods of treating hair loss by providing an in vitro produced hair shaft at an interfollicular or intrafollicular site and assays for studying the effect of test agents on hair biology. The invention also provides the similar methods and products which are, or use, immature follicles (“defined herein as proto-hairs”). The invention provides a method for in vitro production of a hair follicle or a proto-hair comprising co-culturing dermal papilla cells with keratinocytes, and optionally with melanocytes.

Abstract: Methods for identifying trichogenic dermal cells, including dermal papilla cells and dermal sheath cells, capable of inducing hair follicle formation when injected into skin are provided. Biomarkers have been discovered that can be used to detect, identify, and distinguish trichogenic dermal cells, i.e., that are able to induce hair follicle formation, from non-trichogenic skin cells. Populations of enriched trichogenic dermal cells can be produced by selecting for and enriching for dermal cells that the disclosed biomarkers. These enriched trichogenic dermal can be used for inducing hair follicle formation.

Abstract: Methods for identifying trichogenic dermal cells, including dermal papilla cells and dermal sheath cells, capable of inducing hair follicle formation when injected into skin are provided. It has been discovered that EGF latrophilin and seven transmembrane domain-containing protein 1 (ELTD1). Transmembrane Protein 108 (TMEM1 08), Hyaluronan and proteoglycan link protein 1 (HAPLN1) are biomarkers that can be used to detect, identify, and distinguish trichogenic dermal cells, i.e., that are able to induce hair follicle formation, from other skin cells. Populations of skin cells enriched with trichogenic dermal cells can be produced by selecting for and enriching for dermal cells that express ELTD1, TMEM1 08, HAPLN1, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to culturing cells which may be used in hair induction. In one aspect of the invention there is provided a method for cultivation of hair inductive cells, comprising the step of culturing the hair inductive cells in a culture medium comprising a medium conditioned by conditioning cells, in which the conditioning cells are derived from non-epidermal tissue.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods of producing hair folliclesin vitro, compositions for producing hair follicles in vitro, in vitro produced hair follicles, methods of providing an in vitro produced hair shaft at an interfollicular or intrafollicular site, methods of treating hair loss by providing an in vitro produced hair shaft at an interfollicular or intrafollicular site and assays for studying the effect of test agents on hair biology. The invention also provides the similar methods and products which are, or use, immature follicles (“defined herein as proto-hairs”). The invention provides a method for in vitro production of a hair follicle or a proto-hair comprising co-culturing dermal papilla cells with keratinocytes, and optionally with melanocytes.

Abstract: A method for constructing a stable bioactive mammalian embryonic kidney is described herein. A kidney so constructed requires no artificial support, nor porous man made membranes or tubing to effectuate its biological function of filtering body fluids. A single donor embryonic kidney, or fragment thereof, can produce a great number of functional kidneys suitable for treating subjects with various kidney disorders. It is anticipated that said in vitro produced kidney would be less, or not at all, antigenic when transplanted into a subject, because of its embryonic character and artificial propagation in culture. This method of producing a functional organ can be useful in cloning other organ structures containing inducible epithelial tissues.