Reprogramming of Aged Dermal Papilla Cells in Vitro: In Silico Insight into the Biomarkers of Hair Growth and Tissue Repair

Adult stem cells are crucial for the regeneration of organs, such as hair follicles and skin, but the molecular pathways underlying their origin remain incompletely understood. The dermal papilla (DP), a mesenchymal component of the hair follicle, demonstrates significant plasticity and stem cell potential in vitro. DP cells are crucial for hair growth, but their inductive capacity is temporarily suppressed during the catagen phase or permanently lost in culture, leading to cellular senescence. This study examined the molecular signatures associated with DP cell plasticity and the capacity to maintain signals essential for initiating new hair follicle cycles. By culturing DP explants and propagating young cells, three DP cell populations were generated, each representing progressive loss of hair induction and increased senescence. Global gene expression analysis and data mining, combined with gene interactive networks, revealed a transient upregulation of wound healing and stem cell markers in pre-senescent DP cells. This upregulation coincides with the signatures characterising hair follicle regression, suggesting that dynamic changes in gene expression are closely linked to the plasticity and regenerative potential of DP cells. These findings indicate that the reprogramming window in DP cells could be leveraged for hair growth and skin rejuvenation strategies.