Isolation, Cultivation and Characterization of Human Melanocytes from Hair Follicle for Treatment of Stable Vitiligo

Abstract

the disease. Several treatment methods have been proposed but remain inadequate in terms of patient-satisfaction. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the response to a modified autologous cultured hair follicle outer root sheath (ORS) melanocyte cell suspension and non-cultured hair follicle ORS melanocyte cell suspension transplantation in the treatment of stable vitiligo lesions within the same patient. Twenty four patients with stable vitiligo were treated with both cell suspensions. Melanocytes characteristics in both methods were determined via measuring cellular melanin content by ELISA and the fold change in pre-melanosome gene (Pmel-17) expression. Patients' response was evaluated clinically for up to one year following treatment. Out of 24 patients, 19 patients completed the study, with a total of 40 lesions treated. Fifteen patients (79%) treated with both methods gave better response to cultured cell suspension than non-cultured cell suspension. Three (16%) gave the same response for both, and 1 (5%) gave better response to non-cultured compared to the cultured method. Our modified autologous hair follicle ORS melanocytes cultured cell suspension transplantation method is a promising, easier, safer, and stress-free non-surgical option for treating stable vitiligo lesions than the non-cultured method.