Mouse pigment stem cells don't have a special group that never changes; different cells make Oca2 protein in each hair growth cycle.

Scientific Claim

In mice, melanocyte stem cells do not have a fixed reserve population, as different cells express Oca2 during varying hair cycles.

Original Statement

“there is no reserved population of stem cells that are inherently exempt from experiencing Oca2+ TA-like status”

From study:Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Evidence Quality Assessment

Claim Status

appropriately stated

Study Design Support

Design cannot support claim

Appropriate Language Strength

association

Can only show association/correlation

Assessment Explanation

Uses 'do not have' and 'as different cells express' to describe observations without causal claims, consistent with study limitations.

Evidence from Studies

Supporting (1)

Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Cohort Study

Animal

2023 Apr

Contradicting (0)

No contradicting evidence found

Source Study

Dedifferentiation maintains melanocyte stem cells in a dynamic niche

Score: 16

DOI: 10.1038/s41586-023-05960-6

Similar Assertions

When mouse hair is repeatedly plucked, more pigment cells get stuck in the bulge area (from 10% to 50% of follicles), and these stuck cells don't help make new hair color.

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Mouse pigment cells that make Oca2 protein can turn back into stem cells after moving to the bulge area of the hair follicle.

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When mouse hair starts growing, pigment stem cells in the hair germ turn on color-making and branch-related genes before they divide.

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In mouse hair follicles, pigment cells in the hair germ area actively make new pigment cells and stem cells, while those in the bulge stay quiet and only make more stem cells.

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