Prematurely-Graying Mouse Line Demonstrates Regulation of Melanocyte Stem Cell Development by SOX10 (Sry-Related HMG-Box) Transcription Factor for Use in Regenerative Medicine
This technology includes transgenic mice to be used in the study of melanocyte stem cells (MSCs) for utilization in regenerative medicine. Using the melanocyte system as a model, we investigated establishment of MSCs in the hair bulge - the stem cell compartment of the hair. During embryogenesis, all melanoblasts express SOX10, but this expression is downregulated during hair follicle morphogenesis and MSC differentiation. To further study the role of SOX10, we generated transgenic mice overexpressing SOX10 in melanoblasts.