[Histocompatibility of a polypropylene matrix for hair follicle transplantation in rabbits].
OBJECTIVE
To observe the histocompatibility of a polypropylene matrix implanted subcutaneously for potential hair follicle transplantation in rabbits.


METHODS
The polypropylene matrix for harboring the hair follicles was prepared and implanted subcutaneously at the neck of 5 New Zealand white rabbits by means of hair follicle unit transplantation. At 1 week after the transplantation and then on a monthly basis in the following 6 months, full-thickness skin tissues were sampled at the site of grafting to evaluate the histocompatibility of the matrix material using HE staining and scanning electron microscopy.


RESULTS
At 1 week after implantation of the matrix material, a small number of inflammatory cells and lymphocytic infiltration were observed around the graft, with mild hyperemia in the proliferative capillaries and mild inflammatory responses. In the following 6 months, the inflammatory cells and lymphocytes around the graft decreased obviously or even disappeared, and such graft rejection responses as tissue lysis and necrosis were not observed. A large quantity of collagen fibers were found to encapsulate the polypropylene material.


CONCLUSIONS
Polypropylene matrix graft has good histocompatibility with the rabbit subcutaneous tissue without producing obvious graft rejection responses, suggesting its feasibility for further experiments of hair follicle transplantation.
Zhang
Zhi-Dan
ZD
Department of Plastic Surgery, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China. cendyrose@sina.com
Hu
Zhi-Qi
ZQ
Yi
Bing
B
D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D005260:Female; D018859:Hair Follicle / Q000637:transplantation*; D020007:Implants, Experimental; D008297:Male; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011817:Rabbits
D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011126:Polypropylenes