These precursor cells also have potential applications in research on melanoma,
melanocyte disorders and aging-related skin hue changes.
Melanocytes are the cells at the roots of our hair that create melanin, or our hair color.
Melanocyte antigen triggers autoimmunity in human psoriasis.
As we age, the ability of the
melanocytes to produce more pigment eventually fades.
MITF is best known for its role in regulating the many functions within
melanocytes. However, the researchers found that MITF also serves to keep the
melanocytes' interferon response in check.
KIT is a type III receptor tyrosine kinase that binds to the ligand MGF and plays a crucial role in the growth and differentiation of
melanocytes, hematopoietic cells, and germ cells.
Some of the activating mutations encode nonfunctional rather than functional proteins and these nonfunctional proteins account for the overexpression of cKit receptor; and not all gain-of-function mutations result in dysregulated increased
melanocyte proliferation and survival.
Abbreviations Ad: Adenovirus DP: Dermal papillae HF: Hair follicle IRS: Inner root sheath ORS: Outer root sheath sFRP4: Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 sHG: Second hair germ McSC:
Melanocyte stem cell TRP1: Tyrosinase-related protein 1 TRP2: Tyrosinase-related protein 2 TYR: Tyrosinase Wnt: Wingless-type MMTV integration site family X-gal: 5-Bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-[beta]-D-galactoside.
In vertebrates, pigment-producing cells called
melanocytes migrate around the body as the embryo develops.
Vitiligo is a patchy loss of skin pigmentation caused by destruction of the pigment- producing cells called
melanocytes," said Dr Mohanty.