In an article published in The Conversation, Craig J. Ceol, PhD, Assistant Professor of Molecular Medicine at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical Center, revealed how the study of melanocytes in zebrafish has potentially uncovered the mechanisms behind melanocyte regeneration and may advance the understanding of human skin diseases. In a new study, Dr. Ceol and his colleagues examined cells extracted from the fluid of a human skin blister and found that they were similar to zebrafish melanocyte stem cells. Dr. Ceol explained that the research team discovered that dying melanocytes trigger a regenerative process by sending a signal to activate the melanocyte stem cells. Investigators identified two types of stem cells that took different routes to make new melanocytes—the first of which converted into melanin-producing melanocytes, and the second of which divided to create two types of daughter cells. These two processes created either new melanocytes or two new stem cells that were prepared to respond to future skin injuries. Dr. Ceol highlighted that multiple different stem cells in the skin may reconstruct a particular cell type after injury. He hopes that their new findings may lead to the development of novel therapies to reinvigorate melanocyte stem cells, reverse skin color loss in vitiligo, counteract age-related pigment loss in the hair and skin, and treat other skin diseases.
July 26, 2023