One skin condition where the finding could potentially lead to a treatment is vitiligo. Vitiligo is caused by the loss of skin pigmentation and causes blotchy, white patches on the skin.
The findings could also lead to new treatments for gray hair and skin discoloration around scars, said the researchers, led by senior investigator Mayumi Ito. She is an associate professor of dermatology at NYU Langone Medical Center in New York City.