Pose due to a viral infection

Researchers from the National Institutes of Health and the University of Alabama discovered a link between genes thatore are responsible for hair colorow, and genes, ktore informs our bodies about the infection. The results of the study were published in „PLOS Biology”.

When the body is attacked by viruses or bacteria, the immune system kicks in. Comorks in our bodies have the ability to detect intrudersoin and respond by producing signaling molecules called interferons. Interferons transmit signals to other cellsorkom to take action, turning on the expression of genesow, ktore inhibit viral replication and activate comoeffector cells of the immune system thereby increase host defense.

The relationship between hair pigmentationow a innate immune regulation was initially somewhat surprising. – Current technology allows us to assess howob genes in our bodies change expression in rounder different conditions. Sometimes in the wayob, whichore that we would not have been able to predict. We were interested in genes thatore affect howob our comostem cells are maintained, and from studies of gray hairoIn easily read melanocyte dysfunctionsow – said Melissa Harris, head of theoThe study’s lead author from the University of Alabama.

Melanocytes are comorks responsible for hair colorow. They are formed from comomelanocyte stem cellsoin, ktore are found in hair follicles. When we lose a hair and a new one grows in its place, they are responsible for the production and deposition of pigment in the hair shaft.

But how does the body’s defense response relate to graying? Over time, the number of comostem cells in our bodies are declining. This means that missing comorek thatore would deposit pigment in hair. In someorych waspsob comoStem cells can run out earlier than others. The body’s excessive and frequent defense response may be responsible for this.

GloMITF protein plays an important role in this process. Researchers found an unexpected link between gray hair, MITF transcription factor and innate immunity. MITF is involved in regulating functions within the melanocyteow. But it also controls the action of someorych genesoin the innate immune system, including the melanocyte interferon responseow. If MITF control of the interferon response is lost in the cellomelanocyte stemow, the result will be gray hair.

From tests conducted on miceoin shows that excessive production of the transcription factor MITF induced an overreaction of the immune system. It is important to note, for the pattern to occur, there must be a genetic predisposition associated with MITF.

– Our research indicates that genes responsible for controlling pigment in hair and skorze roalso act to control the innate immune system. The research could further our understanding of hair grayingow. More importantly, the discovery of this link will help us understand pigmentation diseases with innate immune system involvement, such as vitiligo – stated William Pavan, cooauthor of the publication.