Hair Graying or Melanoma? How Stem Cells Decide Under Stress

How stress signaling and the surrounding cell niche influence melanocyte stem cell fate – with diagnostic implications for melanoma research

11/05/2025 News 2 min read

McSCs lead to hair graying through differentiation after DNA damage.
Senescence prevents tumor formation in damaged McSCs.
Carcinogens shift McSCs to self-renewal, increasing melanoma risk.
The nature of DNA damage impacts stem cell behavior.
Local tissue environment significantly influences stem cell fate.
Study findings may apply to human melanocyte stem cells.
Research suggests potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets in aging and cancer.