Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Pigmentation

Pigmentation

The color of the skin is influenced by a number of pigments, including melanin, carotene, and hemoglobin. Recall that melanin is produced by cells called melanocytes, which are found scattered throughout the stratum basale of the epidermis. The melanin is transferred to the keratinocytes via melanosomes.
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways

At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category,...

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

Renewal of Skin Epidermal Stem Cells

The skin is divided into epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis, the skin's outermost, middle, and inner layers. The human epidermal layer regularly undergoes renewal, where old, dead cells are replaced by new cells. Epidermal stem cells or EpiSCs divide and differentiate to restore the lost cells. For the renewal process, some EpiSCs continuously self-renew. In contrast, few others differentiate into transit-amplifying cells, which later form prickle or spinous cells, followed by granular...

Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer

Skin cancer is a type of cancer that occurs when there is an abnormal growth of skin cells, usually triggered by damage to the DNA within the skin cells. It is primarily caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun or artificial sources like tanning beds. Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer worldwide, and its incidence continues to rise.
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Vitiligo Metrics Lack Multidimensional Severity Domains.

JAMA dermatology·2026

Same author

JAK inhibition decreases the autoimmune burden in Down syndrome.

eLife·2024

Same author

Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors Increase Pigment Cell Proliferation and Melanization in Cultured Melanocytes and within a 3-Dimensional Skin Equivalent Model.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2024

Same author

JAK inhibition decreases the autoimmune burden in Down syndrome.

medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences·2024

Same author

SASH1 S519N Variant Links Skin Hyperpigmentation and Premature Hair Graying to Dysfunction of Melanocyte Lineage.

The Journal of investigative dermatology·2024

Same author

MCL1 inhibition targets Myeloid Derived Suppressors Cells, promotes antitumor immunity and enhances the efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade.

Cell death & disease·2024

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

Published on: August 27, 2021

Repigmentation through Melanocyte Regeneration in Vitiligo.

Stanca A Birlea¹, Nathaniel B Goldstein¹, David A Norris²

¹Department of Dermatology, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, 12801 17th Avenue, Aurora, CO 80045, USA.

Dermatologic Clinics

|March 21, 2017

Summary

Repigmentation in vitiligo involves replacing lost melanocytes from hair follicle precursors. UV light is the most effective stimulus for this crucial skin healing process.

Keywords:

Bulge Differentiation Hair follicle Melanocyte stem cell Migration Proliferation Repigmentation Vitiligo

More Related Videos

Stimulation of Stem Cell Niches and Tissue Regeneration in Mouse Skin by Switchable Protoporphyrin IX-Dependent Photogeneration of Reactive Oxygen Species In Situ

Stimulation of Stem Cell Niches and Tissue Regeneration in Mouse Skin by Switchable Protoporphyrin IX-Dependent Photogeneration of Reactive Oxygen Species In Situ

Published on: May 8, 2020

Quantification of Hypopigmentation Activity In Vitro

Quantification of Hypopigmentation Activity In Vitro

Published on: March 6, 2019

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Mar 6, 2026

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

Direct Reprogramming of Mouse Fibroblasts into Melanocytes

Published on: August 27, 2021

Stimulation of Stem Cell Niches and Tissue Regeneration in Mouse Skin by Switchable Protoporphyrin IX-Dependent Photogeneration of Reactive Oxygen Species In Situ

Stimulation of Stem Cell Niches and Tissue Regeneration in Mouse Skin by Switchable Protoporphyrin IX-Dependent Photogeneration of Reactive Oxygen Species In Situ

Published on: May 8, 2020

Quantification of Hypopigmentation Activity In Vitro

Quantification of Hypopigmentation Activity In Vitro

Published on: March 6, 2019

Area of Science:

Dermatology
Immunology
Cell Biology

Background:

Vitiligo involves the destruction of mature melanocytes by cytotoxic T cells.
Repigmentation is essential for restoring skin pigmentation in vitiligo patients.

Purpose of the Study:

To describe the cellular mechanisms of repigmentation in vitiligo.
To identify key factors influencing melanocyte precursor mobilization and differentiation.

Main Methods:

Review of cellular processes involved in melanocyte regeneration.
Analysis of the role of hair follicle stem cells in repigmentation.
Evaluation of external stimuli, such as UV light, on repigmentation.

Main Results:

Repigmentation originates from melanocyte precursors in the hair follicle bulge and infundibulum.
These precursors proliferate, migrate, and differentiate into mature melanocytes in the epidermis.
The perifollicular pattern is the most common clinical presentation of vitiligo repigmentation.
UV light emerges as the most potent stimulus for initiating repigmentation.

Conclusions:

Repigmentation in vitiligo is a complex process driven by melanocyte precursor mobilization from hair follicles.
Understanding these mechanisms highlights UV light as a key therapeutic stimulus for vitiligo treatment.