The team notes that studies had already determined that hair follicles contain stem cells that play a role in hair production, and that a protein called stem cell factor (SCF) is involved in hair pigmentation. In their study, Dr. Le and team found that once stem cells move to the base of hair follicles, a protein called KROX20 - better known for its role in nerve development - is activated in skin cells that form hair shafts, known as hair progenitor cells. The researchers found that when KROX20 is activated, the hair progenitor cells produce SCF, which they discovered is crucial for hair pigmentation. In mice with skin cells that possessed both KROX20 and SCF, the researchers found that the skin cells communicated with melanocyte cells to form pigmented hairs. Melanocyte cells produce melanin, the pigment that gives color to the skin, hair, and eyes. For More IT Security Explainer Video