Irradiation-Induced Hair Graying in Mice: An Experimental Model to Evaluate the Effectiveness of Interventions Targeting Oxidative Stress, DNA Damage Prevention, and Cellular Senescence

January 2024 in “ GeroScience ”

Anna Ungvari, Tamás Kiss, Rafał Gulej, Stefano Tarantini, Boglarka Csik, Andriy Yabluchanskiy, Péter Mukli, Anna Csiszár, Melissa L. Harris, Zoltán Ungvári

ionizing radiation γ-rays X-rays oxidative stress DNA damage prevention cellular senescence hair graying molecular pathways regenerative tissues gamma rays cellular aging

TLDR Using radiation to make mice's hair turn gray helps study and find ways to prevent or reverse hair graying.

This review discusses the use of ionizing radiation (γ-rays or X-rays) to induce hair graying in mice as an experimental model to study the mechanisms of hair graying, particularly focusing on oxidative stress, DNA damage prevention, and cellular senescence. The review highlights the value of this model in understanding the molecular pathways involved in hair graying and aims to identify potential therapeutic targets to prevent or reverse age-related changes in regenerative tissues.

View this study on link.springer.com →

Discuss this study in the Community →

Cited in this study

29 / 29 results

research Clinical Pathobiology of Radiotherapy-Induced Alopecia: A Guide Toward More Effective Prevention and Hair Follicle Repair

3 citations , September 2023 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

The conclusion suggests that focusing on certain cellular pathways may improve the prevention and repair of hair loss caused by radiotherapy.

research Innovative Approaches and Advances for Hair Follicle Regeneration

April 2023 in “ACS Biomaterials Science & Engineering”

research Hair Graying Regulators Beyond Hair Follicle

5 citations , February 2022 in “Frontiers in physiology”

Hair graying is influenced by factors like nerves, fat cells, and immune cells, not just hair follicles.

research Stress-Sensing in the Human Greying Hair Follicle: Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated (ATM) Depletion in Hair Bulb Melanocytes in Canities-Prone Scalp

14 citations , October 2020 in “Scientific reports”

Hair greying is linked to reduced ATM protein in hair cells, which protects against stress and damage.

research Premature Graying of Hair: Risk Factors, Co-Morbid Conditions, Pharmacotherapy and Reversal—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

7 citations , July 2020 in “Dermatologic therapy”

Premature graying of hair is linked to various health issues and can sometimes be reversed by treating underlying conditions.

research Topical RT1640 Treatment Effectively Reverses Gray Hair and Stem Cell Loss in a Mouse Model of Radiation-Induced Canities

7 citations , July 2020 in “Pigment cell & melanoma research”

RT1640 treatment reverses gray hair and promotes hair growth in mice.

research Medication-Induced Repigmentation of Gray Hair: A Systematic Review

28 citations , December 2019 in “Skin appendage disorders”

Some medications might reverse gray hair, especially those that reduce inflammation or stimulate pigment production, and vitamin B might help.

research Reversing Wrinkled Skin and Hair Loss in Mice by Restoring Mitochondrial Function

74 citations , July 2018 in “Cell death and disease”

Restoring mitochondrial function in mice reversed their skin wrinkling and hair loss.

research Association of Epidemiological and Biochemical Factors with Premature Graying of Hair: A Case-Control Study

16 citations , January 2018 in “International journal of trichology”

Genetics and nutritional deficiencies are key factors in premature graying of hair.

research Three Streams for the Mechanism of Hair Graying

26 citations , January 2018 in “Annals of dermatology/Annals of Dermatology”

Hair graying may be caused by stem cell depletion from stress or melanocyte damage.

research Oxidative Stress Management in the Hair Follicle: Could Targeting NRF2 Counter Age-Related Hair Disorders and Beyond?

30 citations , July 2017 in “BioEssays”

Activating NRF2 might help treat hair disorders by improving antioxidant defenses.

research Identification of Hair Shaft Progenitors That Create a Niche for Hair Pigmentation

44 citations , April 2017 in “Genes & development”

Scientists found cells in hair that are key for growth and color.

research EdnrB Governs Regenerative Response of Melanocyte Stem Cells by Crosstalk with Wnt Signaling

59 citations , May 2016 in “Cell Reports”

EdnrB signaling helps melanocyte stem cells regenerate and could be targeted to treat pigmentation issues.

research Association of Premature Hair Graying with Family History, Smoking, and Obesity: A Cross-Sectional Study

46 citations , February 2015 in “Journal of The American Academy of Dermatology”

Premature hair graying in young men is linked to family history, obesity, and smoking.

research Age-Related Hair Changes in Men: Mechanisms and Management of Alopecia and Graying

37 citations , January 2015 in “Maturitas”

Men's hair loss is caused by hormones and genes, and can be treated with medication and surgery, while graying is due to aging and has no prevention except dyeing.

research Resting No More: Redefining Telogen, the Maintenance Stage of the Hair Growth Cycle

120 citations , November 2014 in “Biological Reviews”

The telogen phase of hair growth is active and important for preparing hair follicles for regeneration, not just a resting stage.

research Defects in Mitochondrial DNA Replication and Oxidative Damage in Muscle of mtDNA Mutator Mice

53 citations , October 2014 in “Free radical biology & medicine”

Defective mitochondrial DNA replication causes aging symptoms and increased oxidative damage in mice.

research Premature Graying as a Consequence of Compromised Antioxidant Activity in Hair Bulb Melanocytes and Their Precursors

46 citations , April 2014 in “PLOS ONE”

Gray hair may be caused by lower antioxidant activity in hair cells.

research Cell and Tissue Damage After Skin Exposure to Ionizing Radiation: Short- and Long-Term Effects After Single and Fractional Doses

14 citations , January 2014 in “Cells Tissues Organs”

Ionizing radiation causes irreversible skin damage, with single doses leading to acute injury and hair graying, and fractional doses causing more severe long-term tissue damage.

research Age-Induced Hair Greying: The Multiple Effects of Oxidative Stress

67 citations , October 2013 in “International Journal of Cosmetic Science”

Hair greying is caused by oxidative stress damaging hair follicles and melanocytes.

research Keratinocyte Stem Cells but Not Melanocyte Stem Cells Are the Primary Target for Radiation-Induced Hair Graying

30 citations , September 2013 in “Journal of Investigative Dermatology”

Radiation mainly affects keratinocyte stem cells, not melanocyte stem cells, causing hair to gray.

research Deficiency in Nucleotide Excision Repair Family Gene Activity, Especially ERCC3, Is Associated with Non-Pigmented Hair Fiber Growth

10 citations , May 2012 in “PloS one”

Low ERCC3 gene activity is linked to non-pigmented hair growth.

research Coordinated Activation of Wnt in Epithelial and Melanocyte Stem Cells Initiates Pigmented Hair Regeneration

260 citations , June 2011 in “Cell”

Wnt signaling is crucial for pigmented hair regeneration by controlling stem cell activation and differentiation.

research A Neuroendocrinological Perspective on Human Hair Follicle Pigmentation

56 citations , January 2011 in “Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research”

Brain hormones significantly affect hair color and could potentially be used to prevent or reverse grey hair.

research Analyses of Regenerative Wave Patterns in Adult Hair Follicle Populations Reveal Macro-Environmental Regulation of Stem Cell Activity

64 citations , January 2009 in “The International journal of developmental biology”

Hair follicle stem cells are controlled by their surrounding environment.

research Towards A Free Radical Theory Of Graying: Melanocyte Apoptosis In The Aging Human Hair Follicle As An Indicator Of Oxidative Stress Induced Tissue Damage

210 citations , May 2006 in “The FASEB journal”

Oxidative stress causes hair to gray by damaging and killing pigment cells.

research Melanocyte Stem Cell Maintenance and Hair Graying

105 citations , April 2005 in “Cell”

Hair graying happens because certain cells aren't maintained properly.

research Do Hair Bulb Melanocytes Undergo Apoptosis During Hair Follicle Regression (Catagen)?

130 citations , December 1998 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Hair follicle melanocytes die during hair regression.

research Melanogenesis During the Anagen-Catagen-Telogen Transformation of the Murine Hair Cycle

161 citations , June 1994 in “The journal of investigative dermatology/Journal of investigative dermatology”

Hair stops producing melanin as it transitions from the growth phase to the resting phase.