High migratory activity of dermal sheath cup cells associated with the clinical efficacy of autologous cell-based therapy for pattern hair loss

Background

Autologous cell-based therapy using dermal sheath cup (DSC) cells was reported as a new treatment for male and female pattern hair loss. However, the mechanisms underlying its action remain unclear.

Objective

We investigated the mechanisms underlying the efficacy of DSC cells in cell-based therapy.

Methods

We conducted multivariate analysis to categorize individuals based on treatment response as responders and non-responders. The differentially expressed genes in DSC cells from the two groups were evaluated using bulk transcriptome, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and single-cell transcriptome analyses. We performed live cell imaging combined with immunostaining to characterize the DSC subpopulation associated with responders.

Results

We identified nine and three genes as high efficacy (HE) and low efficacy (LE) marker genes, respectively. The HE subpopulations were enriched for cell migration-related genes in single-cell analysis. In contrast, the LE subpopulation was enriched for basement membrane and vasculature-related genes. Moreover, DSC cells in culture were immunocytochemically and morphologically heterogeneous, expressing characteristic factors. Furthermore, live cell imaging showed that DSC cells expressing integrin subunit alpha 6 (ITGA6), an HE subpopulation gene, had markedly higher mobility than those expressing the LE subpopulation genes collagen type IV or CD36.

Conclusions

ITGA6-positive DSC cells, with superior migratory activity, may contribute to cell-based therapy by promoting cell migration into nearby hair follicles.