The discovery of the mechanism behind hair turning gray by scientists could aid in the development of treatments aimed at modifying cells to halt or reverse the process.
According to a recent study, stem cells could become trapped as hair ages, causing them to lose their capability to mature and preserve hair color.
Stem cells with the capacity to differentiate into various types of cells possess a distinctive capability to switch between growth compartments within hair follicles. As these cells age, they lose their mobility, leading to the occurrence of gray hair.
Melanocyte stem cells (McSCs), present in both mice and humans, were the primary focus of the research conducted by scientists from the New York University Grossman School of Medicine. They proposed that if their discoveries apply to humans, it could potentially offer a means to halt or reverse the onset of gray hair.
“The newfound mechanisms raise the possibility that the same fixed-positioning of melanocyte stem cells may exist in humans.”
“If so, it presents a potential pathway for reversing or preventing the greying of human hair by helping jammed cells to move again between developing hair follicle compartments.”
Qi Sun, a postdoctoral fellow at NYU Langone Health, who spearheaded the research, stated
The production of protein pigments that determine hair color is determined by whether pools of melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) found within hair follicles, which are constantly dividing, receive the cue to differentiate into mature cells.
The scientists discovered that while hair follicles develop normally, the cells continuously transition between compartments within the follicle, where melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) are exposed to cues that influence their level of maturity.
Furthermore, the researchers identified that the McSCs can shift between their most rudimentary stem cell phase and the subsequent phase of maturation depending on their placement.
The research suggests that as hair undergoes the natural aging process of shedding and regrowth, a greater number of melanocyte stem cells (McSCs) become trapped in the stem cell compartment known as the hair follicle bulge, where they become stationary.
Mayumi Ito, a senior researcher involved in the study, explained that the decline in the McSCs’ ability to adapt may be accountable for the occurrence of gray hair and the loss of hair color.
