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Going gray is a natural part of aging, though it's not always welcomed by those it affects. A recent study has not only uncovered the reasons behind why hair turns gray but also suggests potential methods for reversing this process in the future.
The research consisted of examining mice, and identified that melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) sometimes become trapped and unable to produce the protein required for hair pigmentation, potentially clarifying why hair turns gray. McSCs are specialized for pigment production and are distinct from the cells that drive hair growth, allowing hair to continue growing even if it lacks pigment.
Normally, McSCs should migrate between different containers in healthy hair follicles. The various containers facilitate the development of McSCs, enabling them to acquire the protein necessary to develop into pigment cells that consistently color hair during its growth. However, occasionally, they get stuck in one area, preventing their movement to another. This blockage initiates a sequence of events that stops hair from being pigmented, resulting in gray hair.
The underlying reasons are unclear, but the melanocyte stem cell system deteriorates earlier than other adult stem cell systems, which is why most humans and mice experience hair graying. McSCs that remain active continue to produce pigment. However, as the system's ability to maintain these shifts deteriorates over time, the emergence of gray hair increasingly corresponds with aging.
This study enhances the fundamental knowledge of how melanocyte stem cells function in hair pigmentation. The discovery of these mechanisms suggests that similar fixed positions of melanocyte stem cells could occur in humans. If this is the case, it could offer a potential avenue for reversing or preventing gray hair in humans.
To view the original scientific study click below:
Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche
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