Human Hair Follicle and Epidermal Melanocytes Exhibit Striking Differences in Their Aging Profile which Involves Catalase
TLDR Hair follicle cells age faster and lose pigment due to less catalase, causing hair to turn gray.
The study explored the differences in aging profiles between human hair follicle melanocytes (HFMs) and epidermal melanocytes (EMs), focusing on the role of catalase. It found that HFMs exhibited a more pronounced decline in proliferation and tyrosinase expression with age compared to EMs. Catalase expression and activity were significantly reduced in HFMs from older donors, leading to increased oxidative stress and accumulation of H2O2, which likely contributed to hair graying. The research suggested that the heightened susceptibility of HFMs to oxidative stress over time is a major factor in the loss of hair pigment and the increase in white hairs.
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