Figure 5.

GFP rat skin‐derived precursors (rSKPs) from bioreactor and static culture retain their capacity to induce hair follicle (HF) morphogenesis. (A): Representative low‐magnification images of grafts containing bioreactor or static cultured GFP⁺ rSKPs combined with keratinocytes after 14 days. (B): Individually dissected HFs showing integration of GFP⁺ cells in the dermal papilla (DP) and the connective tissue sheath. (C): Number of GFP⁺ HFs formed within grafts containing either static‐ or bioreactor‐generated SKPs. Two‐tailed t test, p = .023. (D): Quantification of HF formation in the patch assay, with inclusion of wild‐type dermal fibroblasts to improve survival of donor cells. Note, despite supplementing each graft, bioreactor‐expanded GFP⁺ cells showed a sustained impairment. Error bars represent SEM of three independent experiments. Image magnifications are ×5 (A) and ×20 (B). Abbreviation: GFP, green fluorescent protein.