TLDR HGF/SF increases skin melanocytes but doesn't change melanin type or amount.
The study investigated the effects of hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) overexpression on melanization in transgenic mice. It was found that while HGF/SF increased the number of dermal melanocytes, it did not alter the type or quantity of melanin produced in the skin or hair. Eumelanin was the only type of melanin detected, and no changes were observed in melanin production or hair cycle-related skin thickness. Additionally, no melanocytes or melanosomes were found in the epidermis, indicating a lack of epidermal UV protection. The study concluded that dermal melanocytes in HGF/SF transgenic mice are susceptible to UVA-induced melanoma due to the interaction with eumelanin.
22 citations,
February 2008 in “Journal of Dermatological Science” EPR spectroscopy showed that spontaneous hair growth results in thicker skin and less pigmented hair than depilation-induced growth.
450 citations,
January 2005 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Hair color is determined by melanin produced and transferred in hair follicles.
161 citations,
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109 citations,
July 1993 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology” Hair color production is closely linked to the active growth phase of hair in mice and may also influence hair growth itself.
521 citations,
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14 citations,
November 2013 in “PloS one” HGF/SF increases skin melanocytes but doesn't change melanin type or amount.
34 citations,
December 1988 in “Pigment Cell Research” Melanocytes appear in fetal skin early, but their development details are still unclear.
22 citations,
January 1985 in “Journal of Human Evolution/Journal of human evolution” Human skin and hair color variation is mainly due to melanin produced by a few genes, with melanin protecting against sun damage.
