Preservation of a specialized phenotype of dermal papilla cells of a human hair follicle under cultivation conditions

Possible ways to extend cultivation of dermal papilla cells without the loss of expression of their specific markers were studied. The effect of extracellular matrix components, as well as valproic acid, on the maintenance of the phenotype of dermal papilla cells was studied for the first time. Two ways of cultivation (in a monolayer culture and in spheroids) were used. It was established that a short-term positive effect is reached during the addition of the BMP6 growth factor and vitamin D3 in the monolayer culture, while cultivation in spheroids or in the presence of valproic acid allows us to preserve most efficiently the initial phenotype of these cells in vitro. The significance of the results obtained for tissue engineering and for the study of regeneration processes is discussed.