Loss Of Dicer In Newborn Melanocytes Leads To Premature Hair Graying And Changes In Integrin Expression
September 2023
in “
The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology
”
Studysummary This study found that stress-induced inactivation of the enzyme Dicer in melanocytes can cause premature hair greying by preventing proper melanocyte placement and melanin transfer in mice, suggesting the Dicer-miR92b-ItgaV pathway as an important link between stress and grey hair.
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The study demonstrates that the loss of the enzyme Dicer in newborn melanocytes leads to premature hair graying due to misplacement and depletion of melanocyte stem cells (McSCs). Using mouse models and cell lines, researchers found that Dicer inactivation disrupts melanin transfer, causing hair to lose color. The study identifies the miR-92b–ItgaV pathway as crucial, with miR-92b regulating ItgaV levels and affecting melanocyte migration. Dicer knockdown altered the expression of 280 genes related to cell adhesion and migration, particularly integrins. These findings highlight Dicer's essential role in maintaining McSCs and proper melanocyte migration, linking stress to premature hair graying.
