Objective    To explore how to induce the hair follicle stem cells differentiate into epithelium-like cells.     Methods    The hair follicle stem cells of 7- to 8-day SD rats were isolated and cultured

then induced by homogenate of rabbit corneal limbal stroma. The expressions of α 6-integrin

CD34 and K12 were detected by immunocytochemistry (ICC). The mRNA change of Keratin-12(K12) was also detected by RT-PCR. The positive rate of differentiation was detected by flow cytometry (FCM).     Results    The cultured hair follicle stem cells were always in high proliferation

α 6-integrin and CD34 were expressed in the cytoplasm. K12 expressed in the cytoplasm after being induced for 10 d. The mRNA of K12 was also expressed obviously. And a considerable rate of the K12-positive cells was also observed by FCM.     Conclusion    Induced by homogenate of limbus corneae

hair follicle cells can differentiate into corneal epithelium-like cells in vitro.