TLDR Removing Dicer from pigment cells in newborn mice causes early hair graying and changes in cell migration molecules.
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.
3 citations,
October 2020 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology” Removing β-catenin in certain stem cells causes hair whitening and pigmentation issues.
19 citations,
April 2016 in “Experimental Dermatology” Melanoblasts migrate to the skin using various pathways, and understanding this process could help with skin disease research.
260 citations,
June 2011 in “Cell” Wnt signaling is crucial for pigmented hair regeneration by controlling stem cell activation and differentiation.
[object Object] 70 citations,
May 2008 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Notch/RBP-J signaling is crucial for proper placement and timing of melanocyte development in hair follicles.
24 citations,
March 2018 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research” The environment around melanocyte stem cells is key for hair regeneration and color, with certain injuries affecting hair color and potential treatments for pigmentation disorders.
August 2024 in “Applied Sciences” Plant extracts may help prevent or reverse hair graying.
232 citations,
October 2015 in “International journal of molecular sciences” Stem cells are crucial for skin repair and new treatments for chronic wounds.
[object Object] 
25 citations,
November 2014 in “Ageing Research Reviews” Skin aging is caused by stem cell damage and can potentially be delayed with treatments like antioxidants and stem cell therapy.
November 2023 in “Linköping University medical dissertations” Keratinocytes and adipose-derived stem cells can effectively heal difficult skin wounds.
