METHOD FOR DERIVING MELANOCYTES FROM THE HAIR FOLLICLE OUTER ROOT SHEATH AND PREPARATION FOR GRAFTING

摘要

The present invention relates to a method for generating melanocytes from stem cells comprising the steps of: (i) removing the bulb of an epilated human hair; (ii) incubating the remaining part of the epilated hair with a collagen degrading agent to separate stem cells from the outer root sheath; (iii) cultivating the separated stem cells from step (ii) in a medium that induces differentiation and stimulates growth of stem cells, melanocyte precursors and melanocytes, wherein the medium comprises one or more growth factors for differentiation into melanotic melanocytes. Furthermore, a method for producing an autograft, a homograft or an allograft comprising melanocytes is disclosed herein as well as autografts, a homografts and allografts or melanocytes for the treatment of diseases related to depigmentation of the skin or for the treatment of scars.