Culture of human outer root sheath cells from plucked hair follicles in serum-free conditions.

We succeeded in culturing human outer root sheath cells (ORSC) in serum-free conditions without a biological feeder layer. The combination of collagen type IV substrate and modified MCDB 153 medium supplemented with bovine pituitary gland extract (K-GM medium) could support the growth of ORSC. These cells can be serially cultivated for at least 4 passages and stored in liquid nitrogen with good recovery. Thus, a large series of experiments using ORSC may be run simultaneously.