Hyperactivation of Sympathetic Nerves Drives Depletion of Melanocyte Stem Cells

January 2020 in “ Nature ”

Bing Zhang, Sai Ma, Inbal Rachmin, Megan He, Pankaj Baral, Sekyu Choi, William Antônio Gonçalves, Yulia Shwartz, Eva M. Fast, Yiqun Su, Leonard I. Zon, Aviv Regev, Jason D. Buenrostro, Thiago M. Cunha, Isaac M. Chiu, David E. Fisher, Ya‐Chieh Hsu

sympathetic nerves melanocyte stem cells MeSCs hair graying noradrenaline ADRB2 pathway RTX injections gene expression profiling stress-induced sympathetic nerve activity stress-related hair graying

TLDR Stress can cause hair to turn gray by depleting stem cells.

The study explored how hyperactivation of sympathetic nerves, often due to stress, led to the depletion of melanocyte stem cells (MeSCs) in mice, causing hair graying. It demonstrated that the noradrenaline-ADRB2 pathway was crucial in this process, as blocking it prevented MeSC depletion and hair depigmentation. Various stress models and techniques, including RTX injections and gene expression profiling, were used to show that stress-induced sympathetic nerve activity could result in hair pigmentation changes, providing a biological explanation for stress-related hair graying.

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Research cited in this study

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research External Light Activates Hair Follicle Stem Cells Through Eyes Via an ipRGC–SCN–Sympathetic Neural Pathway

61 citations , June 2018 in “Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America”

Light can turn on hair growth cells through a nerve path starting in the eyes.

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 , April 2016 in “Cell Reports”

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

research Foxc1 Reinforces Quiescence in Self-Renewing Hair Follicle Stem Cells

142 citations , February 2016 in “Science”

Foxc1 helps keep hair follicle stem cells inactive, preventing hair loss.

research Emerging Interactions Between Skin Stem Cells and Their Niches

426 citations , August 2014 in “Nature Medicine”

Skin stem cells interacting with their environment is crucial for maintaining and regenerating skin and hair, and understanding this can help develop new treatments for skin and hair disorders.

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 Marie Antoinette Syndrome

36 citations , June 2009 in “Archives of Dermatology”

Marie Antoinette syndrome causes sudden hair whitening, but its exact cause is unknown.

research Melanocyte Stem Cell Maintenance and Hair Graying

105 citations , April 2005 in “Cell”

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

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