OBJECTIVETo observe the histocompatibility of a polypropylene matrix implanted subcutaneously for potential hair follicle transplantation in rabbits.

METHODSThe 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.

RESULTSAt 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.

CONCLUSIONPolypropylene 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.