Abstract: Objective To investigate the feasibility of in vitro reconstruction of hair follicles by implanting hair follicle cells onto collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds.Methods The cultured hair follicle cells isolated from the dorsal skin of 4-day old C57BL/6 mice were implanted in different density and at different passages into collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds or onto the scaffold surface in vitro,using dropping or injection method.The proliferation and assembly of the follicular cells on the surface of collagen/chitosan porous scaffold were observed by an inverted microscope.The histologic characteristic of the scaffolds was observed with hematoxylin and eosin stain after fixation with 10% formaldehyde.The growth of cells and formation of hair follicles were assessed by confocal laser scaning microscopy.Results Hair follicle-like structure with hair stem could form in collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds implanted with hair follicle cells in a certain density and at a certain times of passage.Conclusion Hair follicle-like structure can generate from collagen/chitosan porous scaffolds implanted with hair follicle cells in vitro.

Key words: Collagen, Chitosan, Hair follicle cells, Hair follicle-like structure