In vitro induction effect of 1,25(OH)2D3 on differentiation of hair follicle stem cell into keratinocyte

Background: Stem cells are characterized by self-renewal and differentiation capabilities. The bulge hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) are able to convert to epithelial components. The active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3, plays important roles in this differentiation process. In the present study has found that 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 induces the HFSCs differentiation into keratinocyte. Methods: HFSCs are isolated from rat whiskers and cultivated in DMEM medium. To isolate bulge stem cell population, flow cytometry and immunocytochemistry using K15, CD34 and nestin biomarkers were performed. In order to accelerate the HFSCs differentiation into keratinocyte, HFSCs were treated with 10(-12) M, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 every 48 h for a week. Results: Immunocytochemistry results showed that bulge stem cells are nestin and CD34 positive but K15 negative before differentiation. Subsequently flow cytometry results, showed that the expression of nestin, CD34 and K15 were 70.96%, 93.03% and 6.88% respectively. After differentiation, the immunocytochemical and flow cytometry results indicated that differentiated cells have positive reaction to K15 with 68.94% expression level. Conclusion: It was concluded that 10(-12) M, 1,25(OH)(2)D-3 could induce the HFSCs differentiation into keratinocytes.