melanocytes

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melanocytes

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Psychology

·January 22, 2020·5 min read

How stress causes gray hair

Study reveals a link between the nervous system and stem cells that regenerate pigment in hair follicles. When stressed, norepinephrine from the sympathetic nervous system causes melanocyte stem cells to activate excessively. The stem cells all convert into pigment-producing cells, prematurely depleting the reservoir. The findings explain the cellular and molecular links between stress and premature hair graying.

Featured Genetics Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·June 4, 2019·4 min read

Researchers discover cells that change their identity during normal development

Melanocytes, a type of pigment cell in zebrafish, can transform after development into a different cell type.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 6, 2019·5 min read

Pigment-producing stem cells can regenerate myelin sheath: Mouse study

Skin-related stem cells may be key to helping restore the myelin sheath in patients with multiple sclerosis. Using mouse models, researchers discovered melanocyte stem cells can, under the right conditions, function as cells that create myelin.

This shows the myelin regrowth on neurons

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience Open Neuroscience Articles

·April 25, 2019·3 min read

Stem cells from hair follicles have potential to repair myelin sheath in mice

Melanocyte stem cells from human hair follicles that carry CD34 have the ability to turn into glial cells. The CD34+ stem cells can regenerate myelin, both on neurons and in mouse models with a genetic defect that prevents the formation of healthy myelin sheaths. The findings could have positive implications for the treatment of demyelinating diseases, such as Multiple Sclerosis.

Featured Genetics Open Neuroscience Articles

·May 8, 2017·4 min read

Skin Cells at the Root of Gray Hair and Balding

Researchers implicate KROXO20, a gene associated with neuron development, and SCF in hair graying and balding. They believe the findings could answer additional questions about human aging.

Featured Genetics Neurology Neuroscience

·March 2, 2017·5 min read

Red Hair Gene Variant May Underlie Association Between Parkinson’s and Melanoma

Mice that carry a gene associated with red hair have reduced production of dopamine in the substantia nigra and are more susceptible to toxins that can damage these dopaminergic neurons.