Sox2 in the Dermal Papilla Regulates Hair Follicle Pigmentation

July 2022 in “ Cell reports ”

Krystle Joy Ng, Jamien Lim, Yolanda Nwayhtetmaw Tan, Delia Quek, Zoe Zon Be Lim, Nikolaos Pantelireis, Carlos Clavel

Sox2 dermal papilla hair follicles eumelanin pheomelanin Agouti Corin MC1R Dct Tyr BMP signaling melanocyte hair pigmentation melanin melanin switch pigmentation disorders

TLDR Sox2 controls hair color by affecting pigment production in hair follicles.

The study explores Sox2's role in the dermal papilla (DP) of hair follicles and its effect on hair pigmentation using mouse models. Sox2 ablation in DP cells led to a switch from eumelanin to pheomelanin, resulting in lighter hair. This switch was linked to upregulated Agouti and downregulated Corin, MC1R, Dct, and Tyr, influenced by Sox2. Additionally, Sox2 affected BMP signaling, crucial for melanocyte function. The findings underscore Sox2's importance in regulating hair pigment type and production, offering potential therapeutic targets for pigmentation disorders.

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